Aquatic tomatoes. Something about flood mitigation and reckless urban development. And “rain events” trending. Part of this photo reveals a farm still in its infancy. But the other part is much more sobering and insidious. We must fundamentally alter our relationship with nature, both as individuals and as a society. Which is to really say we must fundamentally alter our society. Because climate justice is social justice. And tomatoes aren’t aquatic.

These past weeks, full of difficult conversations, momentum, and weighted heavy with emotion, are only the beginning. And this must remain steadfast in our consciousness. . With that in mind, I wanted to share a sliver of goodness. Because there too must be joy and hope in our hearts to keep the movement progressing. . Today the farm team welcomed Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, President and CEO of Harris Health System, to the LBJ Community Farm to discuss our work and commitment to food sovereignty in the communities we serve. We discussed the significance of community empowerment, equitable resource redistribution, and breaking the status quo. Honestly in all my years farming, never would I have imagined partaking in such a poignant conversation with the leader of the largest public healthcare system in the Gulf Coast. It’s certainly just a single step forward, but it’s a step that reinforces the push to create a socially equitable world. . I am continuing to work to recognize and fully embrace that which is required of me to be an accomplice in Black + BIPOC liberation and decolonization of our society. I am in no way a leader or an educator in this realm. The movement is there, and the work continues. And I will remain steadfast. . Thank you to everyone who manifested this day and ensured our success. Huey, Keith, and Ken. Tommy, Dan, Charles. Much love and solidarity. The future is mutual. The future is collective. The future is decolonized. Happy solstice. 🙏

Let’s talk about food justice. . Food justice is social justice is black lives matter justice is decolonization justice is dismantle white supremacy justice. There will never be food justice until we dismantle the systematic mechanisms of oppression on which our country was founded and continues to profit from to this day. We will never have food justice when we can’t even confront the very real racist past and present of agriculture. As long as commodities and property remain more valuable than human life, we will not have food justice because in order to have food justice you must first give a damn about life. . My work in agriculture demands of me everyday to look in the mirror and take a critical examination of how my actions are going to impact the communities I grow for. It demands that I not only acknowledge my privilege as a white middle-class woman, but actively work to supplant it. It demands scrutiny of my actions. Are my actions helping or are my actions harming? So let’s be transparent here. There certainly have been days I think back on and have to acknowledge the real harm my ego and poorly directed *good intentions* inflicted. And that’s why this is my every day work. Not a box to check off and move on. My work is to hold myself accountable anew each and every day. And this is all our work. . So, food justice. Food justice is check your privilege justice. It’s stop calling the police justice. It’s active allyship justice. Let’s get to work.

There’s a moment when the thunderstorms cast a melancholia light. The breeze feels cool and surprising. The world around me is strange, but right. I love this moment.

I’ve worked hard the last 3+ years educating myself in the art and science of soil and now I’d like to share that with you. SownAndGrownWithLove will continue to be my general farm page, for LBJ and beyond. But, this new endeavor is my space to bring soil to life and to engage enthusiasts and professionals alike to learn, share, grow, and collaborate. See below for the scoop, and be well. #Repost @sownandgrownwithmicrobes ・・・ Professional Farmer//Amateur Soil Scientist . Hello! 👋 My name’s Becca. I operate a 2-acre production farm for the Harris County Hospital District in Houston, TX. I’ve farmed for nearly 10 years and began actively studying the science of soil just over 3 years ago. That is to say, learning to understand the deeper connections of life underground to growth above ground. . I’ve always farmed with ecology in mind, practicing methods of cultivation that would enhance, not damage, soil. I’d get a lot of questions from folks asking me “how I knew my methods were working” and “what kind of evidence” could I show that living soil, not fertilizers, was what grew my healthy crops. So 3+ years later, here we are! . This account will be an exhibit to my personal “amateur” journey into soil science and what all life in the soil is working hard to make farmers like me look good in our work. I don’t claim to be an expert by any means. I’ll always be honest about what I don’t know as much as what I do. If my exploration inspires any amount of curiosity in you or others, well that’ll be good enough! . But there is one other motivation truth be told- that I’d like society at large to start viewing farmers as the scientists we are- professional and amateur alike. Because regardless of our *official* training, we have real life seasonal curriculums taught by Mother Nature herself. And I can assure you, no one remains a farmer for very long if they skip that class. 😉 . So feel free to reach out if this interests you- I’d love to chat. It’s conversation and collaboration that makes this strange world worthwhile. 👩🏼‍🌾 🔬 🌱 . #farmer #soilscience #amateur #citizenscientist #farmnerd

Tomatoes are fickle loves, but when the Juliets begin to ripen, and their perfume lingers in the humid air, I can be happy.

This morning’s fresh picks from the LBJ farm to our Food Pharmacy at Strawberry Clinic. Today we delivered 167 pounds of squash, zucchini, collard greens, radish, and herbs... basically as much as my little hatchback could manage! We’ve delivered over 500 pounds of vegetables in total since April, and this is only a fraction of our future operating capacity. (Infrastructure matters!) And while we are desperately looking forward to crossing that milestone, it’s been helpful to appreciate a slower, steadier approach. I’m learning which veggies most excite patients and how to organize our weekly harvests to make it easier for patients to meal plan. The stronger the foundation we build our collaborative systems on, the better we’ll grow in the future. #healthculture

430 days later, the farm inches one step closer to becoming *fully* operational. That is to say, we were already *operational*, growing tasty veg... but now we’re electrified🤘#thankgodforAC #notsomuchforemail

Just something I thought was pretty today. I guess it can be that simple.

Cilantro blossoms in the breeze. The *pluck* of a sweet carrot out of the ground. Cover crops healing soil and it’s microcosms. . These are a few of my favorite things. Happy Earth Day. 🌏

We are ALL responsible. . The distinction between “farmer” and “farm worker” frustrates me. Has always frustrated me. Will continue to frustrate me until the day arrives when we, as a society, are able to relinquish our antiquated ideas founded on hierarchy... especially as it relates to purpose and worth. Farmers farm. H-2A ‘farm workers’ farm. Therefore, they are farmers. Just like the stipulation that cash for business should not go to stock buy-back but instead keeping employees on payroll, the 16 BILLION (from the sweetheart deal to keep industry farmers from hating Trump over the China trade war) going to ‘farmers’ needs to include the same protections for all working in agriculture. Cultivating, harvesting, processing, distribution workers are all ESSENTIAL. . The bottom line is that this could (will be?) one of the most inhumane consequences of a sick system triaging a deep sickness in society. The sickness of social injustice prohibiting food access. The sickness of commodity food pricing condemning farmers as either economically powerless or ‘too boujee to relate’. The sickness of pinning masses against each other in hopes of effectively gaslighting entire populations into obedience to antiquated economic systems. The sickness of “otherness” as malignant to society’s wellbeing. . Our migrant farmers deserve and need our VERY VOCAL support right now. Today, not tomorrow. So here’s what we can do: Call (yes actually CALL) your representative and tell them you support farm workers. Tell them that to slash wages of H-2A visas is cruel and inhumane. Tell them whatever you need to tell them to make them put pressure on the White House. Our grocery stores still have food on their shelves because of these humans. And that’s the real bottom line during this pandemic.

Acts of hope, one day at a time. 🌱 #urbanfarming #houston #texas

The dirty little truth no one talks about when they talk about *farming* 🤩 ...irrigation 😑. What now looks like an uncomplicated scene began as an all-day treasure hunt. Except no gold or chocolates here, just delicious PVC. 🌈 Part 1: Meditative urban soundscape for your listening pleasure, or psychotic farmer documenting a small triumph over sadism? Part 2: Said farmer appreciating simple success in trying times, or contemplating her own sanity at the end of the day (every day)? 🤙 #hugafarmerwhensocialdistancingisOVER 👩🏼‍🌾

Made our first test delivery to Harris Health System’s Strawberry Clinic Food Pharmacy in Pasadena this morning! Our harvest included collards, red onions, and fresh rosemary. Our Food Pharmacy programs, in partnership with the Houston Food Bank, help serve our communities most in need of fresh food access. As we learn what works best operationally over the next few weeks, we’ll begin ramping up our quantities and preparing for the opening of two more Food Pharmacies. This is just one way Harris Health System is transforming #healthcare into #healthculture 🙌 #urbanfarming #houston #texas

Progress #growing 1. Old crops/New crops 2. BCS finishing permanent rows for direct seeding. 3. Messy eggplants and peppers. Transplant now, weed tomorrow. 4. New rows. Big rows. Lots of food coming soon. 5. Fruit tree and perennial plant expansion zone... get ready. 💪 6. Seedlings in the socially distanced community garden and making room for our new office/classroom arriving next week. Can’t wait to have y’all out once we’re through this crisis. 💛 #togetherwhileapart

Tomatoes 🌱 #farming

Sage in bloom on a partly cloudy farming day. The anoles are pleased. I’d live in this tiny jungle, too.

Bed making for 576 tomato babies going in tomorrow. Then peppers, eggplants, squash, and summer greens. Planting out 1 acre in two weeks by hand was not in the operations plan, but extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The produce we grow will help feed patients and our frontline healthcare workers. If you know of someone(s) in need of access to healthy food, please reach out. The Houston agriculture community is really showing up in force to take care of our community. We’ll help in any way we can. #strongertogether

Something gentle for the spring equinox.

How about some good news? Today we officially DOUBLED our farmer team at the LBJ Community Farm! Charles is a native Houstonian and a recent graduate of @farmshareatx . I’m thrilled for him to join our efforts! And just in time, too. I look forward to y’all meeting him when we finally open back up. Until then, we’ll be doubling down on production and supporting our healthcare workers through these challenging times. Stay safe, be kind y’all. ✌️ . #houston #urbanagriculture #farmers