Gullah/Geechee Agroculture Evaluation Report

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2021: $341,346.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2024
Grant Recipients: University of South Carolina Beaufort; Young Gullah/Geechee Farmers and Fishers Association; Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
Region: Southern
State: South Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Najmah Thomas
University of South Carolina Beaufort
Description:
The aim of this study was to determine potential workable strategies to address capacity issues and sustain family farming across Gullah/Geechee generations. Gullah/Geechee is an African-based culture deeply tied to family farming and fishing. This research effort revealed gaps in knowledge of and access to essential public resources for Gullah/Geechee farming and fishing families, in part because of decades of discrimination in the implementation of those programs. Principle investigators worked in partnership with cooperating farmers to design an easy-to-use Public Resource Framework (resource guide) that outlines important details for key resources that can help build the financial sustainability of smaller family farm businesses. The research also uncovered key outreach and awareness tools and techniques that can be used to encourage younger members of the Gullah/Geechee community to consider farming as a vital career option.
Type:
Bulletin
File:
Authors:
Najmah Thomas, USCB
Diana Gill, USCB
Target audiences:
Farmers/Ranchers; Educators; Researchers
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.