Astarte Farm

In honor of Black History Month we are celebrating a pioneer of community supported agriculture, Booker T. Whatley 🌱 In the 1960s & 70s, Whatley recognized that black farmers weren’t making money from wholesale farming. As an author, horticulturist, and professor at Tuskegee University in Alabama, he developed a plan that he considered essential for successful farming. Two of his concepts were a “Clientele Membership Club” and “pick-your-own” where members pay a fee upfront to pick their own produce for the duration of the season.

Many local farms offer one or both of these models, often under the term CSA (community supported agriculture) because by collecting membership fees upfront, farmers are able to purchase the seed and equipment needed for the season. It also massively reduces the waste of mildly imperfect produce that can’t go to wholesale. Members benefit from overall cheaper, local, and often chemical free produce & an opportunity to get outside to enjoy the farm with the folks growing their food!

Booker T. Whatley also created a prototype for a 25-acre family farm capable of providing a gross income of $100,000 a year, which he supervised at Tuskegee Institute. He has originated 5 sweet potato and 15 muscadine grape varieties, written more than 40 scientific papers, been elected a fellow of American Society for Horticultural Science and been honored by Alabama State Legislature.

Only 2% of farmers in the U.S. are black yet modern day sustainable agriculture is often rooted in Afro-indigenous tradition. This vital truth is often left out of the story and forgotten; it is our responsibility to keep this history alive. So let’s celebrate Booker T. Whatley! His revolutionary ideas have allowed thousands of people to get to know the farmers growing their food and reap the benefits from delicious local produce.

This info was pulled from a 1982 interview with Whatley on Mother Earth News and the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming. For more black history check out the book “Farming While Black” by Leah Penniman from 🌻

*FYI: WE ARE DOWN TO 10 CSA SHARES LEFT! Link in bio!*

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for some cozy off season hot cocoa in the snow, but I can’t lie - I’m so excited to eat a fresh veggie straight outta the ground! We have started blueberry pruning and I love seeing the farm in the snow while looking out and remembering the lush butterfly filled flower beds, the smell of tomatoes and basil, the crunch of a fresh bean…warms my lil heart.

We still have some CSA shares available, join us! As one CSA member said, “It’s not just a pick up, it’s a spiritual part of our week to experience what is there to receive and glean,” and I couldn’t agree more - and it feels extra spiritual in this day and age to gather and grow. We look forward to harvesting strawberries and herbs along side you and celebrating the summer solstice and fall harvest with potlucks 💗 we hope to see you all soon, link in bio to signup!