Can a small-scale, local farm be sustained to provide for urban areas lacking access to fresh, affordable food? Kamal Bell, a middle school teacher, endeavors to make this possible with his newly established farm in Efland, North Carolina. Bell’s mission is to turn his local communities into food oases.
As a student at NC A&T University, I sought a career path that would serve others. Ultimately, I earned my bachelor’s degree in animal industry/animal science, followed by a master’s degree in agricultural education. I currently teach earth and environmental science at Neal Middle School in Durham, North Carolina.
Durham and Orange Counties are both considered “food deserts,” or urban areas where it can be difficult to access high quality, fresh food at affordable prices. My educational and professional background perfectly positioned me to make a change by creating Sankofa Farms.
I have become increasingly aware of the income and food availability gap that exists within minority groups. The goal of Sankofa Farms is to create a sustainable food source for minorities in both the rural and urban areas of Durham and Orange Counties.
Planting Roots
In 2016, I applied for a USDA Farm Service Agency’s Direct Farm Ownership loan to start Sankofa Farms. Of the 12 acres I acquired in Orange County, the farm is currently using about 2.5 acres to grow okra, squash, collard, kale, spinach and chard. I plan to reach full utilization in the next three to four years.
Growing crops isn’t the only goal of Sankofa Farms. After observing my students’ eating habits, I noted the direct link between nutrition and energy levels. Through conversations with my students and their families, I learned that many purchase most of their food from places like convenience stores and grocery stores with limited healthy options.
I created the Sankofa Farms Agricultural Academy, a STEM-based program that seeks to educate inner city youth about leadership, discipline and teamwork through agriculture. By introducing my students to basic farming techniques, together we can explore solutions to help increase access to fresh produce for their families and neighbors.
The Agricultural Academy is currently a summer program and Saturday academy that uses a local church for the classroom portion. I hope to make it year-round once the farm expands in the near future. Introducing livestock, including chickens, ducks and quail, has also created a strong incentive for the students to work hard and behave well both in the classroom and on the farm.
We’re showing our youth how simple it can be to grow food if they have access to even just a little bit of land in our communities. On top of teaching them how to feed their families, the change in behavior we see in our students has been incredible.
Growing Strong
The most challenging part of being CEO of Sankofa Farms is growing at a steady rate and not overexerting myself. I look forward to spending this year’s summer break on the farm, and I hope to fully transition to solely running the farm and the academy in the next few years.
Bayer is committed to helping my farm thrive, and the Bayer Bee Care Center has donated a variety of vegetable seeds, materials for ten honeybee hives and two hive scales. The farm will be getting bees this April, and Bayer plans to provide beekeeping training for the staff and students.
With Sankofa Farms, I am given the opportunity to fulfill my life’s passion, and that’s serving the youth in my community.
