Farm to Table: The Providence Farm & Black Sheep Experience

367 Connecticut Street,Buffalo NY 14213

28 September, 2021

Description

Providence Farm Collective Farm-To-Table Experience Providence Farm Collective (PFC) cultivates farmer-led and community-rooted agriculture and food systems to actualize the rights of under-resourced peoples. The Collective has its roots in the Somali Bantu Community Farm, founded as a pilot in 2017. The pilot explored the challenges and opportunities of addressing fresh food insecurity and farmland inequity. Now, PFC is home to 16 diversified farms managed by 250 farmers and 100 summer youth employees from eight refugee, immigrant and Black communities. At PFC, farmers have the opportunity to access clean, rural farmland, farming and business education, technical assistance from regional experts, and markets to generate income to support their families and communities. Importantly, farmers grow crops important to their cultures, including African maize, amaranth, okra, collard greens, hot peppers, roselle and an assortment of eggplant varieties. Black Sheep's very own Steve Gedra and PFC's Chef Sharif Abdi will be creating a multi-course African and Asian inspired cuisine in support of Providence Farm Collective's joint capital campaign with the Western New York Land Conservancy to plant the future of farming in WNY. Sharif established his culinary roots while cooking in Somalia and later at a refugee camp in Kenya before becoming the Chef at Providence Farm where he cooks healthy meals each week to nourish PFC's farmers and youth. All dishes created for the Experience will focus on using the local, organically-grown produce grown by PFC farmers. Proceeds from the event will be utilized to support Providence Farm Collective and the Western New York Land Conservancy's campaign to ensure PFC farmers have a permanent place to farm, protect 37 acres of prime farmland in Orchard Park forever, and make vital infrastructure improvements on the farm. The event will also have a cash bar available to guests that evening. (Gratuity is included in ticket price.)