Date
Author
Alisha Johnson Perry, SAAFON’s Director of Development
We are pleased to announce our inaugural Agrarian Revival Fest: Rooting in Our Practices on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Boggs Rural Life Center in Keysville, Georgia.
This free festival is a celebration of organic agriculture and Black agrarianism, designed to highlight the enduring legacy of Black farmers across the Southeast. A farmer-centered, family-friendly daylong event, Agrarian Revival Fest promises attendees an exploration of land practices that are both sustainable and ancestral, integrating the past, present, and future of Black agrarianism. Festival happenings include:
- Farm Tours: A two site farm tour led by Tianna Neal of Starlit Roots, highlighting small scale organic agriculture and collective farming
- “Ask an Organic Farmer” Booth: Engage with Jesse Buie, of Ole Brook Organics in Mississippi, to learn about the journey and evolution of organic certification.
- Skill Shares and Farm Demonstrations: Participate in a nature/herb walk, community dye demo facilitated by Keisha Cameron of High Hog Farm, and see various practices led by SAAFON farmers including seedsaving and compost tea.
- Storytelling Trail: Take a walk through history to experience stories of the Boggs Rural Life Center’s vibrant past at the intersection of education, agriculture, and rural life skills.
- Cultural Celebration: Enjoy a drumming circle, and come learn more about Black agrarian culture!
While there is no charge to attend Agrarian Revival Festival, SAAFON encourages attendees to complete the attached registration form for more logistical details and event updates, including how to take advantage of the roundtrip chartered bus ride between Atlanta and Keysville on Saturday, October 12th, and overnight camping village tickets on Boggs Center grounds for those who want to extend their experience.
SAAFON seeks co-sponsors for this significant agricultural celebration. Interested donors should contact Alisha Johnson Perry, Director of Development, at 504-564-5845 or ajperry@saafon.org on or before Friday, September 27, 2024, to meet printing deadlines.
We are honored to host our inaugural Black agrarianism festival at the Historic Boggs Rural Life Center. Boggs holds deep cultural and historical significance as a site of Black educational and agricultural excellence, and its support of community farming – including eight acres of community farming land maintained by the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) farmer cluster – makes it the perfect setting for this landmark event.
All are invited to join us on October 12th as we celebrate and uplift the legacy of Black Agrarianism and sustainable farming practices! For media inquiries or more information, please contact SAAFON Co-Executive Directors Whitney Jaye & Alsie Parks at wjaye@saafon.org, aparks@saafon.org, or (920) 372- 2366.
