THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE TO RECEIVE A FEDERAL GRANT THROUGH THE USDA TO DEVELOP A NATIONAL BLACK FARMER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.
The USDA has committed to tackling food and nutrition insecurity by focusing on strengthening and building new partnerships with community-based organizations. Health is one of the core pillars of the National Urban League, and this two-city pilot program will support the NUL’s Health and Quality of Life team, specifically on efforts to initiate an urban agriculture fellowship.
"It is incredibly exciting and
an honor to be chosen by the National Urban League and the USDA for this opportunity,” said Lyndon Pryor, Interim President & CEO of the Louisville Urban League. “Their confidence in our ability to deliver on this important work means a great deal, and I can’t wait to see how we can help grow the amazing network of already established urban farmers in Louisville.”
LUL's Urban Farming Initiative will work with technical assistance partners
Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia, to support Black urban farmers in Louisville’s West End in building space, land access, cultural education programming, and resources for food sovereignty. LUL aims to work with neighbors to rebuild and reconnect communities via an emphasis on land and farming, develop the skills necessary to create their own community-based food businesses and projects or assist them in shaping and entering the emergent urban food system.
The Louisville Urban League has committed to at least two years of programming. LUL is recruiting up to six experienced farmers and educators to serve as fellows to create and grow opportunities for Black urban farmers in the West End,