Recently, the sale of native fruit and berry plants organized by Bonnetta Adeeb drew such a large crowd that people were standing in the middle of the road. This confirmed what the 74-year-old retired history teacher already knew: Americans have a deep thirst to reconnect with their agricultural heritage. By founding the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance (UCFA) in 2020, Adeeb transformed the country’s youngest seed organization into an international collective.
Thanks to a sustainable business model, the UCFA generates its own source of income, rather than relying on the usual federal grants from agricultural sector organizations. This approach reflects Adeeb’s philosophy that “no one is coming to save us – we are the heroes we were waiting for,” especially during times of changing administration when agricultural progress for communities of color may be threatened. There is a growing trend among African Americans to reconnect with their agricultural heritage, rejecting the myth of the “black thumb” to embrace what she calls their “ancestral heritage” of food culture. Through the initiatives of the UCFA, not only are the plants nurtured, but also the cultural memory for future generations.
Who is Bonnetta Adeeb and what is her mission?
Bonnetta Adeeb, founder of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, is an iconic figure in agricultural resistance in the United States. At 74 years old, this retired history teacher has turned her passion into a mission aimed at reconnecting African American Americans with their agricultural heritage. Her recent event selling native fruits and berries drew such a large crowd that “people were standing in the middle of the road,” illustrating a deep thirst to reconnect with agricultural roots.
Far from relying on federal grants, Adeeb designed Ujamaa with a sustainable business model, generating its own income. This approach reflects her philosophy that “no one is coming to save us – we are the heroes we were waiting for,” a vision that is particularly relevant in the face of administration changes that could hinder agricultural progress in communities of color.
As an inspiring leader, Bonnetta Adeeb embodies resilience and innovation. She refuses to perpetuate the myth of the “black thumb” by valuing what she calls the ancestral heritage of food culture. Her work goes beyond simple agriculture; it also involves preserving cultural memory and traditions for future generations.
What is the genesis of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance?
The idea of creating the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance emerged in the context of a global crisis. On March 13, 2020, the day public schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Adeeb launched her initiative. During this tumultuous time, she undertook to interview elders to gather culturally significant agricultural stories and practices.
These interviews revealed the importance of ancestral gardens, medicinal plants, and foods cultivated by the ancestors of African Americans. Adeeb and her team spent nine months collecting this data across the diaspora, thus establishing a solid foundation for the Alliance. This work of preserving oral histories and agricultural traditions is at the heart of their mission.
The creation of the Ujamaa Alliance represents a process of historical reconstruction, aiming to restore the relationship of African Americans with the land and to relearn the harmonious interactions of their ancestors with the environment. By recovering these lost knowledges, the Alliance seeks to strengthen the health and resilience of current and future communities.
How does Ujamaa combine sustainability and financial independence?
One of the most innovative aspects of the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance is its self-sustaining economic model. Unlike most nonprofit organizations in the agricultural sector that depend on government grants, Ujamaa has developed internal revenue streams to ensure its sustainability. This sustainable approach allows the Alliance to remain independent and resilient in the face of public funding fluctuations.
Ujamaa generates its income primarily through the sale of seeds from ancestral crops, organizing educational workshops, and publishing specialized journals like Seed Culture. Each seed purchase or workshop participation directly contributes to funding the Alliance’s projects, thus ensuring continuity in their mission of preserving and sharing agricultural knowledge.
This financial independence perfectly illustrates Adeeb’s philosophy that “no one is coming to save us.” By creating their own revenue sources, the members of the Alliance can focus on sustainable development and the expansion of their initiatives without relying on uncertain external funding.
The impact of Ujamaa on the African American community and beyond
The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance has had a significant impact on African American communities by providing them with the means to reconnect with their agricultural heritage. By rejecting the myth of the “black thumb,” Ujamaa values ancestral skills and knowledge, thus enhancing self-esteem and a sense of belonging. This initiative also encourages food sovereignty, reducing dependence on government food banks and strengthening local food security.
Beyond the direct impact on African American communities, Ujamaa has also inspired other groups around the world. With members spread across Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Hawaii, Haiti, the Alliance adopts a global approach, fostering beneficial cultural and agricultural exchange for all. This international dimension enhances the Alliance’s capacity to share and learn from diverse agricultural practices, thus enriching their own know-how.
Furthermore, Ujamaa plays a crucial role in preserving cultural memory. Collecting oral histories and traditional agricultural practices helps to safeguard an intangible heritage threatened by urbanization and societal changes. This approach not only ensures the transmission of knowledge to future generations but also creates a sense of continuity and resilience within communities.
Key initiatives and successes of the Alliance
The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance has marked significant milestones since its founding in 2020. Among its flagship initiatives, the sale of native fruits and berries represents a notable success, attracting large crowds and stimulating interest in traditional agriculture. This type of event illustrates not only the growing demand for local and ancestral products but also the effectiveness of the Alliance in mobilizing and engaging the community.
Another notable success is the discovery and commercialization of Gertie’s Turnip Greens. After four years of research to find this special variety, the Alliance successfully reintroduced it to the market, offering a unique flavor and a precious piece of African American culinary heritage. This success demonstrates Ujamaa’s commitment to revitalizing and protecting plant varieties that hold historical and cultural significance.
In addition, the Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project has played an essential role in collecting around 140 interviews documenting traditional food practices, healing knowledge, and agricultural wisdom. These testimonials are a valuable resource that informs not only the Alliance’s seed catalog but also the educational workshops it offers. Moreover, the quarterly publication of the journal Seed Culture widely disseminates this knowledge, allowing a broader audience to benefit from these valuable insights.
How to join and support Ujamaa
The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance is an inclusive and collaborative organization, open to anyone wishing to participate in its mission. As a Zoom-based organization, Ujamaa welcomes members from around the world, including farmers in Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Hawaii, Haiti. Membership is obtained by signing up for a working group that aligns with your interests, thus allowing for active and equitable participation within the Alliance.
For those who wish to support Ujamaa, several options are available. Buying seeds from the Alliance’s catalog is a direct way to contribute to the mission of preserving and sharing ancestral agricultural knowledge. Participating in workshops not only offers an opportunity for learning but also provides financial support to ongoing projects. Additionally, reading and subscribing to the journal Seed Culture keeps you informed about the Alliance’s advancements while providing valuable financial support.
Interested individuals can also contribute by sharing the Alliance’s initiatives via social media or actively participating in organized events. Every contribution, no matter how small or large, plays a crucial role in supporting the sustainability and expansion of Ujamaa’s efforts to preserve and revitalize African American agricultural heritage.
Bonnetta Adeeb, through the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, has created a powerful movement of resistance and agricultural resilience. By valuing ancestral traditions and adopting a sustainable economic model, she offers an inspiring path for the reconstruction of cultural ties and food autonomy for African American communities and beyond. To learn more about intergenerational dynamics and similar initiatives, you can consult resources such as understanding the medical communicative bed definition and stakes, dynamic baby boomers invited to extend their careers until retirement, or understanding the baby boomer generation definition and characteristics.
