Growing movement by Black farmers seeds plan to honor land, ancestors while cultivating better health

Dina Newman wanted to reclaim Black growers’ seat at the table — helping an overlooked community in Kansas City create their own healthy and affordable food systems to nourish themselves. Dina Newman, Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGS) “When I’m talking food system, I’m talking from a seed to plant,” said Newman, founder of Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGS). “When you look at that whole process, there’s not a lot of Black people involved on the industrial side of it. Without representation, our voices are not being heard.” With many urban farms in the city’s predominantly Black third district — but with a disproportionate absence of Black farmers — KCBUGS aims to close that systemic gap by financially supporting growers, and offering workshops and training, she said. “It’s our communities; we have to be there,” Newman said. Given the disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases within the Black community, she also advocates for greater representation of Black growers in cultivating nutrient-rich food systems to enhance overall health and well-being. “Food is medicine. We need to know where foods are coming from, how we’re growing our food, and how it’s been distributed to our communities,” said Newman. “Those are the...