Black urban farmers in Erie and beyond hold the seeds of change, help them flourish
There is a common assumption that Black people do not like to grow their own food, but I have witnessed elders in the neighborhood stopping by GGUC to reminisce about times when they were younger helping their own elders collect ingredients from the garden for dinner.
By Charles Madlock
Go Erie
Mar 24, 2024
Excerpt:
Over the last year I’ve had the opportunity to witness one of my friends who inspired me to become a farmer undertake her own farming operation. With over 20 years of experience growing food, her devotion to food sovereignty, and her love of community, Kristen Weeks is the creator of Grow and Glow Urban Collective (GGUC), which is the only Black-owned and operated urban farm in Erie. Thanks to the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network (SSJNN) and their innovative pilot farmer incubator program, two previously vacant corner lots have undergone a remarkable transformation, now flourishing as a quarter-acre farmland.
Through the SSJNN incubator program GGUC has been able to access foundational structures such as fencing, a city water hook-up, and a shed. Located at the corner of East 23rd and Parade streets, GGUC grows culturally relevant foods and empowers the community through education and sustainable regenerative farming. As the inaugural participant in the incubator space, I have witnessed Kristen’s dedication — pouring her heart, effort, finances, and passion — into crafting an inclusive, welcoming, and inspiring environment. She has not only transformed a desolate space into an educational haven but has also enriched the community with diverse and meaningful culinary offerings.
