BRWIA & Department of Sustainable Development welcome founder of National Black Farmer Association

Special Event: Tuesday, February 27th  |  9:30-11am in the Blue Ridge Ballroom (room 201), Plemmons Student Union @ ASU 
Dr. John Boyd Jr. and Kara Boyd will share their experiences during an informal community conversation titled, “Keeping NC & VA Farmers Growing.” 

The project aims to assist farmers with navigating the USDA to accomplish more, as well as Hemp for Victory project, providing SNAP certification, and working with Agribility to assist veterans and disabled farmers.

In addition, Kara will be offering free give-aways for participants in the Tuesday community event: books, strawberry plants, and products from Victory Hemp Foods

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This event follows a formal presentation by Dr. John Boyd, Jr,  a fourth-generation black farmer, businessman and civil rights activist and the founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association.

Dr. John Boyd, Jr. Public Lecture, “40 Acres and Justice: The John Boyd Story”
Monday, February 26th | 5:30-7pm at the Turchin Lecture Hall, ASU:

• Traveling the country, Dr. John Boyd realized African American farmers needed a platform so their voices could be heard. He founded the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) in the early 1990’s. Dr. Boyd’s road from farmer to farm activist hoping to get legislation passed to provide relief and protection for minority and small scale family farmers. Today the NBFA has more than 110,000 members nationwide.  The NBFA is focusing on helping small farmers and getting more young people interested in farming and agriculture. Dr. Boyd will be sharing his story – and the story of black farmers throughout the U.S.

Both events are free and open to the public

ABOUT the Programs
Since its inception, the NBFA has been at the forefront of providing and promoting access to USDA programs and services. We have actively assisted in decreasing and reversing land losses and credit problems while improving the quality of economic life of farmers and ranchers across the United States.

We Grow Farmers project expands knowledge, technical assistance and resources for food production to include, not just staple foods, such as grains, but also fish, animals, forestry products, and horticulture. Secondly, we are creating a supply chain for agricultural products, from agricultural research, through production, processing, marketing, to consumption through business planning and marketing workshops. The project goal is increase the number of new and beginning farmers as well as provide a safety net encouraging farmers to move away from production for production sake to responding to market signals of quality, quantity, timeliness, and price. The project will reach 10,000 community members via mailings, social media and website advertisements. Six (1) day training conferences for farmers in North Carolina and Virginia.

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, provides national advocacy, outreach and technical assistance to limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers targeting minorities, women, veterans, youth and farmers with disabilities with a significant background in rural development. NBFA offices are located in Kenbridge, VA, and Henderson, NC. Our "Keeping NC/VA Farmers Growing" Project Coordinator is Kara Brewer Boyd. She may be contacted via email: NBFA.Kara@gmail.com or phone: 434-676-NBFA.