Black Urban Growers
About Black Urban Growers
Founded in 2010 in Brooklyn, NY, Black Urban Growers (BUGs) emerged from a fundamental question: where does our food come from, and why don't we see more Black farmers at farmers markets? This community-centered organization was born from conversations about the interconnection between individual health, community wellbeing, and food justice. BUGs brings together volunteers, farmers, gardeners, and advocates who share a commitment to building networks and providing mutual support for growers working in both urban and rural settings across the country. The organization's mission centers on engaging people of African descent in critical food and farm-related issues that directly impact their health, communities, and economic security. What distinguishes BUGs is its deep cultural roots and relational approach to food systems work. The organization celebrates ancestral lineage rooted in culture, land, food, and community, recognizing that agricultural stewardship carries both joys and historical burdens. Led by visionary co-founders including Karen Washington of Rise Root Farm and other dedicated community leaders, BUGs has cultivated a movement that honors Black agricultural legacies while advancing environmental justice and food sovereignty. The annual Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners National Conference, now in its second decade, serves as a gathering space where leaders from across the country connect, share knowledge, and collectively reimagine Black futures. Through education, advocacy, and authentic community building, Black Urban Growers nurtures the collective leadership necessary to transform food systems and ensure equitable access to land, resources, and decision-making power for Black growers nationwide.