Kamal Bell

Sankofa: go back and get it! Kamal Bell, CEO of Sankofa Farms did exactly that when he and his family acquired 12 acres of farmland in Cedar Grove, North Carolina. In this episode, Kamal walks us through the USDA process, one that brought forth discriminatory challenges along the way, but ultimately ended in victory! Kamal also shares his insight on opportunities beyond farming, being transparent about agriculture life, and how he's rooting for young black men (the Sankofites) to attain the skill of farming. Oh, we also share laughs about Sankofa's beekeeping experience. Tap in!Sponsored by Hello Fresh.

Farmer Kamal Bell and your host, Farm Girl, go back in history to Kamal's farming roots and look forward into what could be. Instead of food deserts and discrimination, a more sustainable world where young people lead the charge. Sankofa Farms in Efland, NC is supremely conscious of the depth of the issues the community faces and is making strides in connecting them to healthy foods by "going back to get it" from African traditions. Farmer Kamal has some sage advice for legislators too. You can find Kamal and Sankofa Farms on Instagram @sankofafarms Make sure to follow @talkfarmtome as well, and your host @xoxofarmgirl for fun and connected content on farming, food and finding common ground.

Kamal Bell left his full-time job as a teacher to turn a 12-acre piece of land into a profitable farm and honeybee apiary. The goal? Educate young farmers and increase access to fresh produce for minorities affected by food deserts. In this episode, Kamal tells the story of how Sankofa Farms came to be.

On this episode of United We Ag, I sit visit with Kamal Bell of Sankofa Farms Agricultural Academy out of Durham, North Carolina. Kamal is a former middle school biotechnology teacher who took his love for agriculture out of the classroom, bringing his students along for the ride. Sankofa Farms Agricultural Academy is a school for African American boys to learn everything there is to know about agriculture. From cultivating fresh vegetables to becoming certified bee keepers, Kamal's students learn the core values of agricultural leadership, character and citizenship as they donate the food from their farm to low income families in their community. 

After discovering Kamal and Sankofa Farms via a Facebook article, hosts Abriana and Caitlin decided to talk with him about the process of acquiring land, how to impact students and the burdens of black farmers. Although not horse centric, Kamal's experience could help any future farmer and/or equestrian.

Kamal Bell is championing one of the most noble and traditionally patriotic American pursuits I could think of. It’s a fantastic conversation to have for the 4th of July. Through his ownership of the Durham, North Carolina-based Sankofa Farms, he’s looking to do a lot. He has worked since 2016 to render a dozen wild acres arable, while also balancing being a middle school teacher, raising his two boys, and bringing direct benefit to his community through Sankofa’s Agriculture Academy program as well as directly addressing our American food desert problem. #VerseShow comprises conversations that give voice to creators, their process, their struggles, and the celebrations of their work. It's an interview podcast with a bend toward curiosity about the creative process.