Revolutionizing Sickle Cell Management: Embracing Nutrition over Gene Editing

Our current moringa operation is deeply committed to meeting the nutritional needs of the sickle cell community by cultivating culturally specific foods and hosting healing circles. We proudly retail our moringa products directly to the public at farmers markets and through our online platform. To champion the sickle cell community, we've embraced a sharing economy model, where public sales are matched to provide health packages at no cost, using special promo codes during checkout.

Recognizing the historical challenges faced by black farmers in land ownership, we are actively working to bridge this gap through our farming initiative. In 2024, we aspire to expand our impact by offering cooking demonstrations to families in the community and providing internship opportunities at our site for those interested in the business side of agricultural development.

This initiative is crucial for continuing our legacy, emphasizing the value of jobs that focus on community nourishment and soil care. By showcasing moringa as a superfood and promoting sustainable practices, we aim to make a lasting positive impact. This effort will not only support our ongoing initiatives but also contribute to our vision of creating a resilient and community-centric agricultural model. In line with our commitment to organic farming, we envision scaling up and diversifying our product line to include a broader array of culturally relevant crops, fostering biodiversity and ensuring agricultural resilience. Our goal is to introduce nutrient-rich foods beyond moringa, catering to cultural preferences and nutritional needs, providing a comprehensive offering for our community.

Continuing our emphasis on organic and eco-friendly practices, we aim to minimize our ecological footprint and promote soil health. Leveraging digital platforms for marketing, we will enhance visibility and connect with a broader audience interested in our organic, culturally specific, and nutritionally dense products.

Central to our mission is community involvement, with plans to intensify collaborations with local organizations, schools, and healthcare institutions. This includes expanding educational programs on nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and entrepreneurship to empower individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for active participation and benefit from our sustainable agricultural initiatives.

With the rollout of CRISPR gene editing technology within the sickle cell community in 2024, we aim to highlight a non-invasive way of managing sickle cell using nutritional methods. The efficacy of our program is centered on a natural path towards healing, in contrast to the potential drawbacks of gene editing, which may involve sterilization and permanent outpatient status. This dual approach ensures that our moringa operation not only addresses current community needs but also significantly contributes to the long-term health, resilience, and empowerment of both individuals and the environment.

To ensure long-term farm sustainability, I employ a diverse strategy. Crop diversification, sustainable practices, and financial management are key. Active community engagement and partnerships with local entities foster a supportive network, encouraging shared resources and collaborative problem-solving. Guided by permaculture principles, our commitment emphasizes natural resource preservation, organic farming, and regenerative practices. Water conservation and diverse crops align with permaculture's holistic approach, ensuring soil health and biodiversity. Economic sustainability is pursued through fair labor practices and product diversification. Adapting to climate change follows permaculture's resilience principles. This comprehensive strategy ensures resource preservation, economic viability, community well-being, and a resilient agricultural model.

Encapsulating permaculture's core tenets, I aim to foster a sustainable, thriving farm rooted in community engagement. Rooted in a history of racial injustice, my journey as a farmer faces deep-seated challenges. Both sets of my grandparents owned acreage homes in Oakland, lost due to the development of the 880 freeway, disrupting generational land transfer. In Mississippi, my grandmother's father and uncle were lynched by the Ku Klux Klan, prompting our family to abandon sixty-four acres in Hattiesburg to escape racial terrorism.

Historical inequities result in a significant loss of land ownership, limiting access to essential resources. Stereotypes and biases impede collaboration and market opportunities, while navigating discriminatory institutional structures remains a persistent struggle.

The influx of migrant labor exacerbates the Black community's challenges, diminishing our capacity to negotiate equitable changes in an industry historically reliant on Black labor. Descendants of those who shaped the industry constitute less than one percent of the agricultural workforce today, reflecting deliberate exclusion from broader opportunities.

My commitment to addressing racial disparities in agriculture persists. Actively working to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusivity, I advocate for positive change within our farming operation and the broader agricultural landscape. I plan to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive future for Black farmers and communities in the agricultural sector, transcending personal challenges.

The Cooperative Ownership model functions as an educational hub by integrating hands-on training for professional development. This strategic approach allocates a dedicated effort to training both myself and employees in controlled environment agriculture, advancing our collective expertise.

The training initiatives within this model are meticulously designed to cover various aspects of controlled environment agriculture, providing practical skills and knowledge. Participants gain insights into efficient crop management, resource optimization, and sustainable farming practices. This targeted education not only enriches the capabilities of individuals within the Cooperative Ownership but also enhances their adaptability to evolving agricultural techniques.

This comprehensive strategy utilizes the greenhouse as a practical and transformative tool for learning. By engaging in real-world applications within the controlled environment, participants can directly apply their knowledge and hone their skills. The greenhouse becomes a living classroom, offering a dynamic and immersive learning experience.

The goal is not only to impart technical proficiency but also to instill a mindset of innovation and adaptability. By actively dismantling barriers through education, the Cooperative Ownership model fosters resilience among its participants. Empowered with a deeper understanding of sustainable agricultural practices, individuals are better equipped to navigate challenges and contribute to the long-term health of the agricultural community.

The substantive contribution to a more equitable and sustainable future is achieved through the collective impact of educated individuals. As participants apply their knowledge and skills beyond the Cooperative Ownership model, they become catalysts for positive change within the broader agricultural community. The shared commitment to education creates a ripple effect, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement in agricultural practices, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and knowledgeable agricultural landscape.

This initiative stands out as a crucial resource in meeting my needs due to its exceptional alignment with the specific challenges and goals outlined in my agricultural development plan. Its focus on promoting equitable opportunities resonates with my commitment to addressing historical disparities faced by Black farmers.

-Create Society