One of the inspirations for my “Sow and Tell” farming experience was that not only did I want to share the complicated and empowering history of African-American farming related to scientific discovery & innovation, self-sufficiency, politics and Civil Rights; but I’m also an organic farmer! I grow Jurassic sized leafy greens, several types of delicious heirloom tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, two types of okra (the “‘Red Burgundy” varietal is stunning), zucchini, stringless green beans, sweet corn, seedless table grapes, Japanese & Italian eggplant, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, lemons, collard greens, artichokes and cauliflower. Did I miss anything? If you’re interested, you can do it, too! You don’t need a lot of land to free yourself from our industrial food complex. Pots and planters on balconies and decks can yield a surprising amount of food, and it can really reduce your food bill. Incidentally, at a previous residence, I raised a few Muscovy ducks (Marco & Polo) and about 50 chickens; and we’ve raised a rotating flock of about 10 here (Don’t sleep on Hen Solo, Chick Norris or Princess “Lay-a”!). These photos are from last year. The veggies’ vibrant color is unretouched, and I’d harvest this amount every few days with tons of vegetables still left on their vines. I just started planting this year’s crop, and I’m very much looking forward to my ongoing date with dirt, beats and iced coffee.

If you’re an aspiring farmer or already doing the darn thing, good luck this season, and happy farming!