During the spring of 2025, we conducted oral history interviews with two farmers who are part of the Black Church Food Security Network. Larry Holmes, whose farm is named Taters-N-Greens, grows sweet potatoes, greens, and watermelon on family-owned land in Virginia and North Carolina. Ginette Jean operates a farm called SOFGI Connection and grows okra, beans, and jute in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Both Larry Holmes and Ginette Jean talked about some of the challenges involved in running a farm business. Access to land and capital are persistent issues and one of the benefits of joining the Black Church Food Security Network is exposure to new markets and customers. Larry Holmes and Ginette Jean both emphasized the relationship between farming and health. Larry Holmes noted that one field on his farm has been described as a “healing ground” because people who visit or work the land benefit from its positive energy. Ginette Jean emphasized that food is medicine and it is essential to ensure that people eat well to live well.
Video Clips
Larry Holmes discusses the challenges of running a farm business, his family’s history in farming, organic farming techniques, and the Black Church Food Security Network.
Transcript
Ginette Jean describes her childhood in Haiti, her decision to start a farm, the significance of access to financial resources, and the relationship between health, including mental health, and food. Transcript
Farms in the Black Church Food Security Network
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