Farms: TEDxFruitvale - Will Scott - Bring Back Black Farmers
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Slavery left a bad taste in most African-Americans' mouth when it comes to farming. But as Will Scott points out, when we eat together, we don't fight. This nation needs more small farmers, more people growing food in general — black and white. About Will Scott, president of the African American Farmers of California: Will was born in Oklahoma to a family of sharecroppers; his parents moved to Fresno, CA, in the 1940s, where they continued to farm. After enlisting in the Navy, Will served in Vietnam aboard a submarine; later, when he retired, he bought 40 acres near Fresno and began to farm in earnest again. He grows Southern staples such as black-eyed peas and collard greens, which he sells at farmers' markets in Fresno and West Oakland. He is the president of the African American Farmers of California, which runs a 15-acre demonstration and education farm to interest African-American kids in agriculture. This talk is part of Session One: Meet for TEDxFruitvale, which was held on October 14, 2011 at Mills College in Oakland, CA. The conference's theme was Harvesting Change, and it focused on farmworkers, labor and other social justice movements, and fair labor practices in business. http://www.tedxfruitvale.org/ About TEDx, x = independently organized event: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Comments
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Thank you Mr. Will Scott, for your wisdom. I couldn't agree with you more. Watching this video was so inspiring and uplifting in many ways.
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I thank you for great lecturer I wish I was on a farm today we are the best farmers we gotten jaded off farm land now out of the cities we have to produce goods and products and services for the nation not all these other nations and peoples blacks the food and things will be better
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Profound insight. We have an Urban Farms Cooperative here in Michigan. This Lecture is very empowering. Thank you for sharing.
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I'm very interested in farming and only 29 years of age
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Are you African or American?
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We have to empower ourselves and be best friends to ourselves. We have to make it profitable to serve our interests. That will make it impossible not to do so.
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That would mean giving blacks the stolen land white took with fake contracts and racist land laws but white folks don't talk about it
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I think many young people in the urban cities need to venture out into this profession. A farmer's life is hard work, but also rewarding. Farmers give back to society in a very positive and rewarding way. Like he stated,' food is essential and brings people together'. Only four hundred black farmers in California, that is a very low count for a big state like California. God bless the farmers. Without them, we would not have fresh food at our tables! I do support local farmers!
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So amazing to hear him speak on this. I've been saying this for years. As I look around while working in my industry I realize i am a minority in this business also.