Obiora Embry’s Blog | Sunday, 30 June 2019

Obiora Embry’s Blog ‐ Sunday, 30 June 2019

Sunday, 30 June 2019 by Obiora Embry

Greenville, KY

Harvested wild blackberries and froze them. There are more in and near the southern brush pile than in the north. There is a large bounty of unripe ones.

I identified more willows, Tulip Poplars, Elderberries, wild roses, and nut trees. Some of the Sumacs are starting to produce fruit. So these I think are Smooth Sumac?! The wild grapes have produced fruit and some are pretty sizeable too. I did not find any Eastern Redcedars to harvest from today. I did see some of the Purple Coneflowers (not many) and the Boneset is starting to flower. I could not find any Yarrow but while walking I could smell mint, possibly Hoary Mountain Mint or another of the mints that we have put out?!

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2019 (18)

2020 (42)

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Martin Acres has the highest point and the lowest point in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and has been used for timber, hunting, coal mining, oil & gas extraction, and agriculture. It has been in a state of transition since the untimely death of Herbert L. Martin and the migration of many people in this black family to the north for factory jobs. Since the late‐1980s, this family has not practiced agriculture. However, some acreage is leased by a neighboring farm. In addition some of the farm is under a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) but most of Martin Acres is maturing forests. And a creek runs through a portion of the the property, there are two ponds, and other places where water flows.

In the late 1990s, twin brothers (sixth generation descendants of Lorenza/Lourenza and Minnie Martin) Irucka Ajani and Obiora Embry, tried unsuccessfully to encourage their family to grow food organically as a means of generating farm income. After a few years of making no traction they decided to put their ideas on the back burner. However in 2012 they decided to quit talkin’ about it and be about it (Obiora’s motto since the 2000s).

In December 2012, they sought two acres of farmland on Martin Acres to develop an edible forest garden. The two acres were previously used for cow grazing, but had been left fallow for 40 or more years. On it were mature trees, bramble, grasses, and bushes. In early 2013, the area was cleared and bulldozed. This left exposed soil and barren land, two large brush piles, uprooted trees, and plants that looked like they were dying. In March 2013, they went to visit the area for the first time.

Irucka and Obiora planted stakes in the ground, took photographs and video, discussed how it would be an uphill battle to turn the desolate looking land into a thriving edible forest garden, but they had nothing to lose and were up for the challenge!

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Rooted in love for family and Nature, we take pride in processing food slowly and creating products for you with love.

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Our vision is to regenerate and heal neglected land, create a diverse and vibrant food ecosystem, develop unique value added products, and inspire others to get back to Nature.