Land Back North Saint Louis & Forced Farm Move
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Dail Chambers. I am a black identified mother, healer, artist, grower, with Native ancestry (just like many of my neighbors whose families migrated to the Midwest during the American Black Migration and the Indian Removal Act's Trail of Tears.
During the pandemic, I began to steward two agricultural sites in North Saint Louis. One site is a small orchard that is full of herbs and trees. I was able to purchase the first site through the Sherriffs Tax sale and expanded it after there was a breach in my lease agreement. Consequently, I was made able to purchase the adjoining lot to remediate the difficulty to move 20+ trees and herbs. Thankfully in 2021, I had the opportunity to "get to yes" with LRA and resolve the matter expeditiously. The site is currently stabilized and full.
Fast forward...
The second site has been stewarded in collaborative nature with many hands, hearts and farmers from the Saint Louis region, with visiting apprentices from Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Louisiana. I've partnered with multiple organizations with a highlight collaboration with Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Releaf, and Urban Harvest. We gained the trust of our neighbors, family and community through time. We held regular food shares, plant give-aways and wellness support to people as we grew food. The farm site is on the opposite side of my alley, creating easy access, and convenient farming. I was in the midst of our five-year lease with the Land Reutilization Authority. On Monday 4/24/2024 I found out that the Educational Farm has been sold and I need to move as soon as possible.
What's the problem?
I first began the process to purchase my property in the late spring of 2022. Although I turned in my application to purchase at the beginning of June, on June 24th my application was mailed back to me, claiming that I did not get my application in before the revamp of LRA processes. LRA opened up purchasing opportunities in Feb/March of 2023 and I got my application in at the beginning of April. My application was mailed back a second time, stating that the property has been sold.
The larger site has over 40 Native Trees and shrubs, perennial flowers and planting season has begun. I've begun the process of the three sisters' garden (extending to five and hoping to plant all seven) and just planted over 30 echinacea with my neighbors.
Since the beginning of this project, I have been intentional. I've received certification in permaculture, studied with large-scale farmers, attended and presented at multiple conferences and called on expert support. I've become a fellow of Women's Earth Alliance and received funding from National sources that helped our plant and tree purchase, apprenticeship and the start-up of backyard gardens in my area.
What's the plan?
I plan to purchase a new site in North Saint Louis to transfer all the trees, plants and food to a place that I have the opportunity to own. I can not throw away my community work, my floral business and environmental advocacy.
Why is this important?
This is an important issue because of numerous reasons. With the new release of Urban Agricultural support through USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to receive grants, mentorship and resource support, the site is now ineligible.
Saint Louis has high amounts of systemic, individual and institutional racism. A strong competitive nature based on internalized inferiority complex leads much of the decision-making even when there are marginalized people in office and leadership.
We are living with a lack of healthy food access in my area. North Saint Louis has been a National topic of concern and has been deemed blighted due to vacancy, low income and crime. We are living in an "Opportunity Zone and federally mandated Promise Zone." Under these conditions, it has been difficult to flourish as an artist and farmer without the support of the public. Locally, our political and governmental structures has gone through so much change. As many Saint Louis residents, I've been hoping for a betterment.
I am interested in not only the food justice issues of our area but other environmental concerns such as illegal dumping, demolition, air quality, lead poisoning and soil contamination. Now that the site is stabilized through permacultural mediation, I am left to search for a new farm home where I would have to start from scratch with soil health.
What's Next?
My next steps are to purchase a privately owned space that I could own. I am also in search of community members and other laborers who can support me in moving the farm.
Please donate!!!
Environmental Justice articles that highlight my story:
KMOX:
https://www.audacy.com/podcast/total-information-am-2922c/episodes/farmer-is-being-forced-to-move-her-farm-9d502?fbclid=IwAR2FQlZhiYOIQH4lR9htgt1T4PfedeogOXmO0uC8BHg84GSj5LRbPupJQJs
We Live Here Article and Interview:
https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2021-02-16/we-live-here-explores-effects-of-environmental-racism-in-st-louis
Capital B News on Air Pollution:
Wikipedia on Landback Movement:
Wikipedia on Environmental
Racism:
Organizer
Dail Chambers
Organizer
St Louis, MO