Ujima began our work in Hyde Park and Fairground Neighborhood in 2018 managing 2 school gardens. These North St. Louis communities have been devastated by food apartheid and environmental racism for decades. Since then we have grown over 800 pounds of food, produced over 300 meals, hosted workshops, environmental justice projects, and launched a youth program. Progress has been made, but there’s so much work to be done. So we doubled down on our mission, to be the change we wanted to see in this region. November 2021 we purchased a house and 5 lots to start George Washington Carver Farms. We are building a community hub in honor of the Missouri legend. Carver was so much more than the sweet potato and peanut guy, he revolutionized American Agriculture, and empowered Black Farmers, while teaching us all how to take better care of this planet. George Washington Carver Farms will restore abandoned and unsafe land. It will be transformed into a beautiful green landscape that creates space for fresh food, natives, outdoor education, jobs, healing, and justice. It will include an outdoor classroom, demonstration garden, native garden, event space, and Victory & Peace Park (a meditation/grief garden that will provide space for community healing and justice).