Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The views and opinions expressed in the following programmer, those
are the speaker and don't necessarily represent those of the station.
It's staff management or ownership. Hello everyone, this is Poet
Gold and you're listening to finding out what Pete and
the Poet Gold today. And I'm here with Nick Jackson,
also known as Farmer Nick, the local citizens of the kIPS,
New York. But before I begin, I'm going to start
(00:22):
with our usual poem, Sowing the seeds, Sowing the seeds
of justice, Sowing the seeds of change, four hundred years
of plowing, while everyone else is devouring without mindfulness, understanding
the rigan physicality, are demanding eclipse by greed. The farmer
should be our neighbor, from farm to table. We've depended
on their labor, out of sight, out of mind. Our
(00:45):
hearts have been desensitized us. And then we divide the lines.
It's a crime. Until the people woke up and wised up,
knew it was time to rise up, create a new
page of his her story, plant the seeds for a
brand new Glorian star, Sowing the seeds of justice, Sowing
the seeds of change, Sowing the seeds of justice, sowing
(01:06):
the seeds of change from Smithtown to Albany, a two
hundred mile walk for dignity on black tar, through the hills,
through the valley, crossing bridges. It was time to rally
sturdy as the trees they pick from hope to bear
new fruit for their young. Open the doors to possibilities,
Demand respecting equality, leave a different legacy, Live a life
(01:26):
of tranquility. Live a life of tranquility. So the people
woke up and wised up, knew it was time to
rise up, create a new page of his her story,
plant the seeds for a brand new glory, and start
sowing the seeds of justice. So and the seeds of change.
So and the seeds of justice, sowing the seeds of
change dedicated to our farmers here, you know, the farm
(01:49):
labor movement that Cuomo had passed while he was in office,
so that farmers could have a fair labor, you know,
and rights to be able to make a break, take lunch.
You go to the restroom like anybody else, you know.
So it's hard work. So welcome Nick.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yes, thank you God, I appreciate it. Thank you for
having me.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
No, I'm amazing and beautiful poem really really resonated. It
really resonated with it a lot.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
No, no, no problem. I'm glad that you were able
to uh, to come on. I'm fascinated by they're less
than two percent of black farmers in the United States,
and I know that you've been engaged in the farming
community in Poughkeepsie. Just to give our audience background, I
actually did not know about Nick's farming background. I've known Nick,
(02:37):
you know, for many years now here in Poughkeepsie. I
ran an open mic and him and his brother would come.
His brother is a is a wonderful talented musician and pianist.
And Nick is a wonderful dancer, very skilled and professional
professional dancer as a matter of fact. And so, but
I'm also fascinated by this part of your career. How
did you you know? What was your interest in farming?
(02:59):
How did you how do you how'd you balance the
going from the arts? I mean, but farming is an art.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Itself, Yes, there's very true.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And getting into farming, how did that happen?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Well, well, for me, I've actually always seen myself as
a farmer.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
There was always going to be endgame for me.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, ever since I was a little kid, you know,
no matter what I did, you know, in my career
and stuff like that, I always saw a vision of
me on my own land with my overalls and my
straw hat, my kids running around a giant turtle, you know,
wandering and stuff like that, just growing food for the
community and just developing that. I've always had a passion
and a drive to improve my community, and food is
(03:36):
one of the surefire ways to strengthen any community, any movement,
any resilience. You have control over your food, you have
control over the people. So it's just been so it's
it's it's been that type of journey. And I got
into agriculture in twenty twenty during the pandemic and stuff
like that. I started growing food on my backyard deck
for my mother, and yeah, because we were we all
(03:59):
did a t t additional you know, pause and reevaluation
of life and stuff like that. And prior to that,
I was in the culinary industry, food work, working in
restaurants for like twelve thirteen years. So I've always had
a very beautiful relationship with food ever since I was
a kid, and with my culinary career, so with COVID happening,
(04:20):
I just I saw it as an opportunity to pivot
and take a look at what the community really needs,
you know, like you know, everyone needs food, but we
need the right food.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
And so that was so that was the reason for
why I do it.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
And now I, you know, help people and teach people
how to grow their own food and start community gardens.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And that's that's what I want to talk about. And
you're going to like that we are what we eat,
you know, But but something I just just want to
go back at this question again. What you know? I
know you said that you've always had a drive and
a passion to do it, But was it was it,
you know, a one thing kind of moment that happened
when you were a kid that said, yeah, was it
watching Popeye eat the spinach? I mean, you know what
(05:03):
was that moment for you? If you can't recall, well,
let's see, I mean you have to make anything use No.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
I really I wish, I wish I had had a
definitive moment, But I just I just always knew that
that I was gonna do good work and hard work,
and then I wanted to just relax, and I just
saw farming as a way to to to relax and
also still get back to my community and my people
and stuff like that. So it was just it just
felt like a natural progression, just just for who I
(05:32):
am as an individual and just what I want to
do in the long term.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
You wanted you want to be part of nature, part
of the trees, part of the apple tree.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, right, yeah, I would say, but
I would say probably Johnny Apple Sea was a very
big information and stuff that growing up, especially living in
New York. You know, you know, apple trees and fruit
trees are very very big and stuff like that, and
I've always been curious on like why we don't have
why there's always these trees everywhere, but none of them
produce food for people. And I always hated crab apple
(06:02):
trees growing up because it was just they just created
a giant mess, you know, on my street.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Growing people with crab apple trees.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, crab apple trees are basically they're there. They're they're
apple trees, but they're but they're not grown to produce
proper fruit and stuff like that. So they're more so
for decorative decorative purposes and just produce very small, small,
little little apples.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
So can you e those No, you know, you really
can't eat those. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
You know, as a kid, I would always I would
never eat them, but I was always very temperted. Yeah,
so maybe I was glad that didn't Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Yeah, yeah, they taste terrible too. On top of that,
it don't taste like they'll ruin your your opinion of
apples for sure, but but yeah, uh out speaking of trees,
like like you then you learn the fact that most
trees that are surrounded in the area are all male trees,
so and so there's so they're basically grown and designed
(06:54):
to not produce fruit and produce and propagate and stuff
like that. That's why there's no female trees around and
stuff like that. Uh yeah, it's very very very interesting
when you started diving into trees and.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
And urban environment you know, are known to be devoid
of nutrition so to speak. You know, what's the term
that they use. It's it's a food desert desert food
food deserts and so you we got into you and
I got into the conversation, and that's that's that's how
you hear about growing your own food, So like grow
(07:28):
what you eat. And I think COVID was probably a
pivotal point for a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yes, you know, yeah, I agree, Covid. Covid you know,
put a lot of things into perspective. A lot of
people could sit down and see and reevaluate their lives
and stuff like that. So there was a huge pivot
for a lot of individuals during that time. So and
you know, going through my farm journey, I realized a
lot of people, a lot of other farmers who were
experiencing the same thing.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Also kind of in your poem too earlier, was like
I really resonated with the when you said it was
a wake up call, Like it was almost like an
epiphany that a lot of us had like to to,
you know, answer the answer, the call to to a
higher purpose and a bigger and a bigger mission in
life rather than just doing the same mundane thing trying
to make you know, trying to make ends me, trying
(08:15):
to get rich, you know, trying to live a prosperous life.
But there's more to that, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Right, there's more to prosperity than than than the money. Yes,
if you're just tuning in, you're listening to finding out
with Pete and the poet Gold and Peter Glennard is
not here today, but you'll hear them with me again
shortly on some other shows. So going to and I'm
here with Nick Nick Jackson. We also call him farmer Nick.
He's a local citizen of Poughkeepsie. Right, you're right, there's
there's more to define what prosperity is, you know. And
(08:43):
and uh, we're we're a lot richer in a lot
of ways than them than we realize. And it does
start with at least one of the components is definitely
definitely food. So you ran was it Pershing Street Farms?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, yeah, I was the I was. I was hired
as the community farmer for Persian Avenue Farm and Gardens
in Poughkeepsie, New York. Is a fifteen hundred square feet
property where they have twenty two raised beds and a
community garden and a community farm side where produce has
grown and distributed out to the community. Community members can
(09:16):
can sign up for a plot for a community bedplot
out of our twenty two beds for the season to
grow their own produce, and then the community farm side
grows produce that gets donated and also passed out during
our free farm stand Once a week during during the
growing season and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
What a wonderful idea. Now, do you find that it's popular?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yes, I agree, especially in the beginning. In the beginning stages,
it was very popular. A lot of people were very
interested in growing their own food and learning about it
and stuff like that, and just finding stuff to do.
Pickkeepsie has this ongoing syndrome of not having things for
the young people to do and and for adults to do.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
So the farm gave.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
An opportunity for a lot of people to step outside,
communicate with people they would normally communicate with, and just
engage and build a community that is greatly needed, especially
in our north side communities and and inner cities.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Uh so, so, Yeah it was.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
It's still very well received and and there's plans to
to expand there's plans to get more involved and more
community members involved. So I feel like, you know, planting
this plant, literally planting that seed and has sparked and
grown grown the community of Poughkeepsie into a much stronger
and much more resilient community.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Now, are there other farm communities like the Persian Avenue
Farm in Poughkeepsie.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Yeah so, uh so similar similar to Persian Avenue Farm.
You have the Dutchess Outreach Farm, which is which is
going to be run by this group called Eating Project
from out of the city. I met with that farmer
a few months ago and stuff like that, and he
told me what his plans are and stuff like that.
I kind of I kind of went there just to
kind of, you know, see what in my community for sure,
(11:00):
you know, I just take I just I just want
to make sure that the right people are are here,
and just you know, to make sure the right things
are happening in the community of Poughkeepsie, because you know,
I've grown here, grown up here all my life, and
I care deeply for this community.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Right. But it's a learning process also because sometimes you know,
a different group, organization or I mean even the yards
it can bring something different to the table that that
helps the total ecosystem, you know, growing not and not
trying to do intentionally any harm.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Yeah, of course, but you have but yeah, and Eating
Project plans are doing a lot of innovative and interesting
topics too, and and pathways to get into the community
and and do outreach and get people involved. So there's
Eating Project and then obviously you have Poughkeepsie Farm Project,
which is well rightnowned throughout the community. You know, their
CSA and there after school programs and youth programs are
(11:52):
our top not so they continue doing great work. And
and yeah, I'm going to be also this year in particular,
I'm going to be partnering with Titus so Farms and
somebody that creating some more outreach with them, uh in
farmers markets and getting more.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Into the city of Poughkeepsie.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
I think there's a there's sort of like a false
narrative that you hear often that that there aren't things
for youth to do in the city. I think there are.
There are a number of really wonderful programs in the city.
But what happens is the outreach. Yes, it's not that
you know, just from my humble opinion that it's not
that there's not things to do. It's it's how does
(12:34):
the communication happen between those who want service and those
who can provide whatever it is that that an organization
is off for. You know, that communication I think needs
to be looked at more than there's nothing here, because
there's a there's a lot, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
I mean, Poughkeepsie is known for the service and maybe
too many you know me, you know, let me because
this is this is the place where people come to
for for for different things, and and particularly the youth.
I know, when we had real skills to the family partnership,
there was always people walking in the office that weren't
necessarily looking to UH for what we offered. But we're
(13:13):
looking for something and we can easily say, oh, go
around the hall or yes, this is out there, but
it's it's it's how do you tackle that narrative of
you know, there's not enough when there's no there's there's
a whole lot. It's just the communication needs to be
better to the citizens that that are there.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Yeah, and we and also community organizations need to get
out of their own bubbles and silos where we're because
where a lot of them are doing a lot of
the same work, applying for a lot of the same
grants and things like that, when we could all work
together to to to make things a lot easier. And
you know, some organizations are top not with their outreach
and some are lacking.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But you're in the same same division. So it's like
we need to create.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
An era and UH and and more pathways and communication
for organizations to work together too, because to achieve their
goals and achieved and make things.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Happen, right, not not crabs in a bucket, right for sure,
you know, sort of like sort of like what was
the story? The Christmas story is?
Speaker 2 (14:07):
It?
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Was it Macy and Gimbles? And I forgot which one?
And I forgot you know, I think was it? I
forgot who's in the movie? And and he says, well,
why don't you go across the street, Well, we don't
have this here. Why don't you go across the street,
you know and get it at Macy's or get it
at Gimbles? And folks like, what s the competition?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
What? You know? But we're not. We're not in competition
right all.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We're all trying to achieve the same goal, which like
it's I don't know, it's just very important important to me.
And yeah, we're we're trying new new ways to get
outreach out there and communicate and communicate with with with folks,
boots on the ground, newsletters, you know, social media posts
and stuff like that, just to just just to come
up with new ways and just whenever and whenever an
(14:49):
organization is doing an event comes not only support the event,
but also allow other organizations to to promote their things
and get involved in things like that.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And and also come out the box, you know. Instead,
it's great to go to the schools and to the
traditional places and what you promote events, but also come
out the box, you know, show up on a block
with some tables with the different organizations and say where
you know that maybe this group of people are not
going to the schools you know whose parents you know?
(15:19):
I mean, we should do a Newburgh illuminated in Newburgh
And I had the Newburghs open Mike and I would
ask people, you know, hey, you coming to and they
were like, well, what's that? I was like, well, you
you know, you live right around the corner from Broadway.
How do you know there was an outreach issue?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Yes, I agree, you know.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
And so it happens everywhere. But that means that that
you you know, it's like it's like going to church
and preaching to the choir. It means you got to
come out. You got to come out from the church,
you know, and go to the street corner, you know,
and not the street corner that's next to the church,
exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Go down the block, go go right street, you know,
go by, go buy Tubb and terrorists go go over
and over on those sides where where where people where
you're not reaching the people, get to the people. Like
the basketball court by Tubman is jam packed with folks.
And absolutely you'll definitely see me out there this year
with some tables, giving out produce and stuff like that,
(16:11):
doing outreach and what notot just getting more involved in
the community.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
It's so important if you're just tuning in, you're listening
to finding out with Pete and the poet Gold and
I'm Poet Gold and Peter Leonard is off today and
so he'll be back with us for some of the
other shows. And we're here talking with Nick Jackson, also
known as Farmer Nick, the local citizen of Poughkeepsie, who's
doing some great work teaching us all how to eat
better and even grow our own food. So you have
(16:36):
the beds at Persian and now you have your own
thing that you're doing. Can you explain to people exactly
you know, how someone connects with you so that you
can I believe you said you can go to their
home and teach them how to talk about that.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah, So currently right now, you know, I'm no longer
with the Persian Avenue Project in the capacity of being
the farm manager, but I'm but you know, I'm still
supporting that project. And right now I am helping homeowners
and individuals who want to learn how to grow their
own food but don't necessarily have to set up or
don't have the means to make it happen. Help them
(17:08):
get to a point where they can be self sustaining
and grow their own food at home or or or.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
In the local community.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
So so I'm lobbying with organizations to start to start
public gardens in in certain cities, like like Peak Skill and.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
But then also for homeowners who are interested in getting
their own home gardens set up, you know, I walk
them through the process, give them a crop plan I
provide Currently right now, I'm providing all the seeds and
seedlings as well as as well as fruit trees and
berry bushes. That's all coming coming coming out of my
pocket or or or out of my my network of
(17:49):
people who I can get, who can get materials from
and things like that, just because what you're essentially paying
for is the knowledge and.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
The infrastructure, Like like I don't. I don't.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
I'm trying to get people out of the habit of
thinking that they need to spend money to get their food.
So so providing people that startup of a food trees,
of starter sealings for free, you know what I'm saying
to so so so it breaks that habit of of
oh I need money so I can eat.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
No I can. I got to.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I got my start produce for free and stuff like that,
and I can I can sustain myself and save some
money and grow food for free because the food, the
food should be that, all foods should be free. Really
like nobody should go nobody should go starving, nobody should
should should should be without. So I decided to make
that a cornerstone of my business operation. So so the
(18:45):
barrier entry is not too extensive for people because you know,
sealings and trees and stuff like that, they're expensive, you know, absolutely,
and and a normal and a normal person doing this
project would you know, charge people in arm in a
lake for the type of things. But you know, I'd
rather make it worth it work for an individual to
get that stuff.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
That's that's very you know, that's very honorable of you,
because you know you said, choo, my eyes raised right,
you said, you walking in with the trees and the
seas and giving it to a public. Wait a minute, now,
you know, but I but I get it. I get
it's it's it's I know where your heart is. You know,
I know your real community brother, you know, and I
have so much high regard and respect you know. That's
(19:26):
why I wanted the audience to meet you and get
to know you and the and the work that you do.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Do you have a website?
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, so currently the website is being built to house everything,
but you can you can contact me be in my email, Instagram, Facebook.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
I tell the people your email or which whatever way
you feel comfortable.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
So my email is farmer Nick forty two at gmail
dot com Farmer Nick forty two at gmail dot com.
And you can also follow me on Instagram farmer Nick
zero one on Instagram that's farmer Nick zero one, or
on Facebook Nick Jackson on Facebook or Nico's Modern Life
that's and I see, oh Modern life. And yeah, those
(20:08):
are just where you can get in contact with me.
And yeah, you can you can catch me at Persian,
you can catch me. You can catch me really anywhere.
You can see me dancing if you see if you
see a brother dancing in the street, that's that's most
likely me. And you know, just asking me, Hey, nice
dance moves. But you know I want to learn about
farming and agriculture, so I can put you onto that
as well.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And and and for those of you if you're trying
to figure out, you know, well, what does what does
farmer Nick look like? You know, if you go on
his website, you'll, I mean, if you go on in
one of his pages, you'll see you'll see an image
of him. But he is a slim, great looking black
man with a refined beard and some locks, you know,
some beautiful locks, well kept. And so you know, yeah,
we tried.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
We tried for sure. For sure I could get a
little carried away for sure.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
But we all can right to do better, right, right,
we all can? You know? So interesting enough, I I
met a really you know, leading up to this show,
like last week, I was out of town and I
get into an Uber And you would believe this if
I told you I got into Uber. I asked a fella,
but what do you do because a lot of Uber drivers,
you know, it's a side gigs in the right and
(21:13):
he owns a family farm nice and I was like,
I was like, you're kidding me. I said, the guess
I'm having next week is actually a farmer and a
good friend of mine. And so we got into this
Conversation's name is Kevin at Purple Mountain Grown. If you
want to look up, they do a rice and beans.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Okay, yeah, yeah, Kevin. I think I know who that is.
I know somebody who's doing rice out here.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Well, no, he's not. He's not local.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
OK Yeah, I was.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
I was actually in Maryland, you know. But they but
you can get things online, you know. I think it's
called Purple Mountain Propah, Purple Mountain Grown. And I was
telling him all about you, you know, and he has
no idea that I'm talking about him one ear. But
he was such a such a good spirit, he really was.
And we talked about you know, what's that space like
being a black farmer, you know, because if there's not many, yes,
(22:00):
black farmers. I mean, I've always been fascinated. We had
a house up here outside of Deposit, New York when
I was growing up and with a lot of land.
My family we were hunters. My family was a hunting family,
you know, and so and and then there were parts
of my family that that would down south that would
grow tobacco and some type of tree tree sap, you know,
(22:20):
or something. I don't know if it was syrup. I
don't know it was the kid, but they would go tobacco,
and they would do cotton. And I remember having experiencing
picking cotton when I was a kid and knew that
this just wasn't for me. Something you say, you're saying, like, Okay,
you know, it's it's I like playing in the dirt,
but man, it's it's work.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Yeah, it is. It is, for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
It's work.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
A lot of work, a lot of work, a lot
of a lot of long.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Hours, and and and and things that you know, recognition
and stuff like that that doesn't that gets unrecognized stuff
at that. But you know, we do the work and
we're very diligent because we know that it's part of
a bigger mission. And there are there are there's a misconception.
There are a lot of black farmers, a lot of
black farmers, A lot of them are just not publicly
(23:06):
recognized by by entities, by individuals and stuff like that.
So so you know, we're we're moving, we're moving in
and in these silos and stuff like that. And and
aside aside from you know, the work that I do,
you know, also doing in my activist work, you know,
starting a group together to to to help empower black
(23:27):
farmers and and and get resources together and and so
we can all achieve our goals in a in a
timely and effective manner and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
I know there's a there's a group. There's another poety Moni,
the poet out of Albany, you know, and she's Powerful Sisters.
She's part of an organization as well, black farming community,
you know. And and when I when I use the
term black, you know, I mean I'm including the brown
community as well.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
You know.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
To me, we will just all the same, you know it, right,
it's just a mad way a boat dropped us off,
I'll say that. And I'm like, you know, we're all
together here, you know. So, But so I know that there,
that there is a movement, you know, up there, and
I think that the work is it's just so important.
Sometimes I believe that people just really don't understand. Yeah, yeah,
(24:15):
what it's really like to you know, be in the
field and doing that work. Especially when people talking about
folks taking their job, it's not a job. If it
was a job you want it, you would have been
doing it right exactly, you know what I'm saying. I mean,
let's let's be real. Yeah, if it was a job
you wanted, you would have been doing it.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Yeah, for real, for real. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
But but you know, opportunities, opportunities come to those who
knock on the door. So so it's like, if you're
if you're concerned about about the positioning and where and
where things are going, get involved, get active, you know,
because because there's there's plenty of space, plenty of space
for that, you know what I'm saying, Like, if you're.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Just tuning in, you're listening once again to finding out
with Pete and the poet Gold and I poet Gold,
and I'm sitting here with Nick Jackson, farmer. Nick a
local citizen here in the city of Poughkeepsie, but who's
branching his career out in the farming industry. Now you're
going to speak, I believe about a farming event that's
coming up in April. Can you give us a day
for that and tell us a little bit about.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
That so I'm I'm partnering with Mohawk Preserve out in
New Palt's shout out to shout out to them over there.
Lauren and a Shawna we went to school together with
Me and a Shauna went to go together. So shout
out to her for for putting me on to the
pro putting me on to everything. So at Mohawk Preserve
April eleventh, that's a Friday, from six from six pm
(25:33):
to eight pm, I would be doing a presentation and
workshop at with with with the folks over there.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Every everyone is invited. There's there's going to be a.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Press, presscutarve release and sign up sheets and stuff like
that to going out, so you can so you can
contact me for that. But basically it is a it
is a it is a workshop and storytelling in terms
of teaching about the history of ogriculture and where and
where we're going and how to how to progress forward
into this new age, teaching people how to grow their
(26:03):
own food using using recycled and upcycled material to uh
to to to promote you know, a healthier a healthier environment.
But then also just you know, eliminate waste and stuff
like that. Just just keeping that keeping everything environmentally friendly.
So we're going to be doing some upcycling and planting
workshops workshops during during it as well, and I'll be
(26:26):
having a presentation on gorilla gardening, which is which is
a new venture that I'm that I'm diving into since
land access is is slowly becoming very scarce, so but
I still want to be able to to provide opportunities
and also give people solutions and avenues to grow on
their own food. So gorilla gardening, which is basically just
just the spontaneous act of planting in public areas, whether
(26:49):
it be vacant lots, whether it be old planters on
the side of the streets, tires, turning a turning a
car into a greenhouse, just just innovative ways to just
grow food, but then also be be a statement and
a protest to two things that are going on in
today's society.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Now. I can't wait till you get your website up
so that people can can donate and support you, because
you know you're walking in you know, giving them seedlings
and giving them you know, little trees or fruit trees
or whatever it is that it is, and you're donating
is to this you know, people and it seems that
they're paying a minimal cost to uh, you know, for
(27:25):
your craft and and and you know me, I've always
advocated I think that that being a farmer and growing
food and understanding how to grow food as an art
form in itself. I believe in people supporting the artists
so that they can do their best work, because we
all are beneficiaries, you know, we're all and in this
particular case, it's even a higher level because it's it's
(27:47):
really tangible. It's food.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
It's food. Yes, it's food.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
So that's that's your time and your money, and you
should be supporting that way. So hurry up, get that
web This is is your mental going hurry up to
get that website.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I will go, I would.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
I'm working on it for sure. So what's happening. I'm
gonna switch a little bit, you know, and then we're
gonna come back to the farming before we wrap it up.
What's happening with the art?
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Yeah, So so yeah, I'm still in the arts, still dancing,
you know, rh Rhythm of Water productions where you know,
we're still making things happen, and I'm doing a lot
of cool things with my Fire dance team scid Fire Flow.
We're now going under at sci Fire just and we're
going to be partnering with Jamie Ransom, who's going to
(28:29):
be doing an art gallery in March, starting March fifteenth
ending ending May twentie. If I believe is the timeframe
for the gallery. It's going to be in Newburgh. I
can't remember. I don't have the gallery name right in
front of me, but myself and my team, my SciFi
is going to be performing during a special artist panel
(28:52):
in Showcase April nineteenth. Very excited for that. It's going
to be We're gonna be doing an artist panel where
you can meet all the artists who are going to
be showcasing the gallery and then also a you know,
a two part performance series done by myself and my
and my.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Team because we had Jamie on back in February for
Black History Months, and we had our father on as well. Ransom.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Yeah, really really phenomenal people and the talented curator. So
that sounds like a great show to come out and
check out. That will be going through May right May, okay? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,
good good yeah. Yeah, it'll be going through going through
March into may Our Showcase is going to be in April,
so yeah, I'll be going to look out for that,
(29:36):
all right. Nick, Well, it was great having you you know,
and farmer Nick. Yes, thank you, thank you for dropping
through today, and thank you to our listeners to listening
to finding out with Pete the Poet Gold
The views and opinions expressed in the following programmer, those
are the speaker and don't necessarily represent those of the station.
It's staff management or ownership. Hello everyone, this is Poet
Gold and you're listening to finding out what Pete and
the Poet Gold today. And I'm here with Nick Jackson,
also known as Farmer Nick, the local citizens of the kIPS,
New York. But before I begin, I'm going to start
(00:22):
with our usual poem, Sowing the seeds, Sowing the seeds
of justice, Sowing the seeds of change, four hundred years
of plowing, while everyone else is devouring without mindfulness, understanding
the rigan physicality, are demanding eclipse by greed. The farmer
should be our neighbor, from farm to table. We've depended
on their labor, out of sight, out of mind. Our
(00:45):
hearts have been desensitized us. And then we divide the lines.
It's a crime. Until the people woke up and wised up,
knew it was time to rise up, create a new
page of his her story, plant the seeds for a
brand new Glorian star, Sowing the seeds of justice, Sowing
the seeds of change, Sowing the seeds of justice, sowing
(01:06):
the seeds of change from Smithtown to Albany, a two
hundred mile walk for dignity on black tar, through the hills,
through the valley, crossing bridges. It was time to rally
sturdy as the trees they pick from hope to bear
new fruit for their young. Open the doors to possibilities,
Demand respecting equality, leave a different legacy, Live a life
(01:26):
of tranquility. Live a life of tranquility. So the people
woke up and wised up, knew it was time to
rise up, create a new page of his her story,
plant the seeds for a brand new glory, and start
sowing the seeds of justice. So and the seeds of change.
So and the seeds of justice, sowing the seeds of
change dedicated to our farmers here, you know, the farm
(01:49):
labor movement that Cuomo had passed while he was in office,
so that farmers could have a fair labor, you know,
and rights to be able to make a break, take lunch.
You go to the restroom like anybody else, you know.
So it's hard work. So welcome Nick.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yes, thank you God, I appreciate it. Thank you for
having me.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
No, I'm amazing and beautiful poem really really resonated. It
really resonated with it a lot.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
No, no, no problem. I'm glad that you were able
to uh, to come on. I'm fascinated by they're less
than two percent of black farmers in the United States,
and I know that you've been engaged in the farming
community in Poughkeepsie. Just to give our audience background, I
actually did not know about Nick's farming background. I've known Nick,
(02:37):
you know, for many years now here in Poughkeepsie. I
ran an open mic and him and his brother would come.
His brother is a is a wonderful talented musician and pianist.
And Nick is a wonderful dancer, very skilled and professional
professional dancer as a matter of fact. And so, but
I'm also fascinated by this part of your career. How
did you you know? What was your interest in farming?
(02:59):
How did you how do you how'd you balance the
going from the arts? I mean, but farming is an art.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Itself, Yes, there's very true.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And getting into farming, how did that happen?
Speaker 2 (03:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Well, well, for me, I've actually always seen myself as
a farmer.
Speaker 2 (03:12):
There was always going to be endgame for me.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, ever since I was a little kid, you know,
no matter what I did, you know, in my career
and stuff like that, I always saw a vision of
me on my own land with my overalls and my
straw hat, my kids running around a giant turtle, you know,
wandering and stuff like that, just growing food for the
community and just developing that. I've always had a passion
and a drive to improve my community, and food is
(03:36):
one of the surefire ways to strengthen any community, any movement,
any resilience. You have control over your food, you have
control over the people. So it's just been so it's
it's it's been that type of journey. And I got
into agriculture in twenty twenty during the pandemic and stuff
like that. I started growing food on my backyard deck
for my mother, and yeah, because we were we all
(03:59):
did a t t additional you know, pause and reevaluation
of life and stuff like that. And prior to that,
I was in the culinary industry, food work, working in
restaurants for like twelve thirteen years. So I've always had
a very beautiful relationship with food ever since I was
a kid, and with my culinary career, so with COVID happening,
(04:20):
I just I saw it as an opportunity to pivot
and take a look at what the community really needs,
you know, like you know, everyone needs food, but we
need the right food.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
And so that was so that was the reason for
why I do it.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
And now I, you know, help people and teach people
how to grow their own food and start community gardens.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
And that's that's what I want to talk about. And
you're going to like that we are what we eat,
you know, But but something I just just want to
go back at this question again. What you know? I
know you said that you've always had a drive and
a passion to do it, But was it was it,
you know, a one thing kind of moment that happened
when you were a kid that said, yeah, was it
watching Popeye eat the spinach? I mean, you know what
(05:03):
was that moment for you? If you can't recall, well,
let's see, I mean you have to make anything use No.
Speaker 3 (05:10):
I really I wish, I wish I had had a
definitive moment, But I just I just always knew that
that I was gonna do good work and hard work,
and then I wanted to just relax, and I just
saw farming as a way to to to relax and
also still get back to my community and my people
and stuff like that. So it was just it just
felt like a natural progression, just just for who I
(05:32):
am as an individual and just what I want to
do in the long term.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
You wanted you want to be part of nature, part
of the trees, part of the apple tree.
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, right, yeah, I would say, but
I would say probably Johnny Apple Sea was a very
big information and stuff that growing up, especially living in
New York. You know, you know, apple trees and fruit
trees are very very big and stuff like that, and
I've always been curious on like why we don't have
why there's always these trees everywhere, but none of them
produce food for people. And I always hated crab apple
(06:02):
trees growing up because it was just they just created
a giant mess, you know, on my street.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Growing people with crab apple trees.
Speaker 3 (06:09):
Yeah, crab apple trees are basically they're there. They're they're
apple trees, but they're but they're not grown to produce
proper fruit and stuff like that. So they're more so
for decorative decorative purposes and just produce very small, small,
little little apples.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
So can you e those No, you know, you really
can't eat those. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
You know, as a kid, I would always I would
never eat them, but I was always very temperted. Yeah,
so maybe I was glad that didn't Yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Yeah, yeah, they taste terrible too. On top of that,
it don't taste like they'll ruin your your opinion of
apples for sure, but but yeah, uh out speaking of trees,
like like you then you learn the fact that most
trees that are surrounded in the area are all male trees,
so and so there's so they're basically grown and designed
(06:54):
to not produce fruit and produce and propagate and stuff
like that. That's why there's no female trees around and
stuff like that. Uh yeah, it's very very very interesting
when you started diving into trees and.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
And urban environment you know, are known to be devoid
of nutrition so to speak. You know, what's the term
that they use. It's it's a food desert desert food
food deserts and so you we got into you and
I got into the conversation, and that's that's that's how
you hear about growing your own food, So like grow
(07:28):
what you eat. And I think COVID was probably a
pivotal point for a lot of people.
Speaker 3 (07:32):
Yes, you know, yeah, I agree, Covid. Covid you know,
put a lot of things into perspective. A lot of
people could sit down and see and reevaluate their lives
and stuff like that. So there was a huge pivot
for a lot of individuals during that time. So and
you know, going through my farm journey, I realized a
lot of people, a lot of other farmers who were
experiencing the same thing.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You know.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Also kind of in your poem too earlier, was like
I really resonated with the when you said it was
a wake up call, Like it was almost like an
epiphany that a lot of us had like to to,
you know, answer the answer, the call to to a
higher purpose and a bigger and a bigger mission in
life rather than just doing the same mundane thing trying
to make you know, trying to make ends me, trying
(08:15):
to get rich, you know, trying to live a prosperous life.
But there's more to that, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:20):
Right, there's more to prosperity than than than the money. Yes,
if you're just tuning in, you're listening to finding out
with Pete and the poet Gold and Peter Glennard is
not here today, but you'll hear them with me again
shortly on some other shows. So going to and I'm
here with Nick Nick Jackson. We also call him farmer Nick.
He's a local citizen of Poughkeepsie. Right, you're right, there's
there's more to define what prosperity is, you know. And
(08:43):
and uh, we're we're a lot richer in a lot
of ways than them than we realize. And it does
start with at least one of the components is definitely
definitely food. So you ran was it Pershing Street Farms?
Speaker 3 (08:56):
Yeah, yeah, I was the I was. I was hired
as the community farmer for Persian Avenue Farm and Gardens
in Poughkeepsie, New York. Is a fifteen hundred square feet
property where they have twenty two raised beds and a
community garden and a community farm side where produce has
grown and distributed out to the community. Community members can
(09:16):
can sign up for a plot for a community bedplot
out of our twenty two beds for the season to
grow their own produce, and then the community farm side
grows produce that gets donated and also passed out during
our free farm stand Once a week during during the
growing season and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
What a wonderful idea. Now, do you find that it's popular?
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Yes, I agree, especially in the beginning. In the beginning stages,
it was very popular. A lot of people were very
interested in growing their own food and learning about it
and stuff like that, and just finding stuff to do.
Pickkeepsie has this ongoing syndrome of not having things for
the young people to do and and for adults to do.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
So the farm gave.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
An opportunity for a lot of people to step outside,
communicate with people they would normally communicate with, and just
engage and build a community that is greatly needed, especially
in our north side communities and and inner cities.
Speaker 2 (10:08):
Uh so, so, Yeah it was.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
It's still very well received and and there's plans to
to expand there's plans to get more involved and more
community members involved. So I feel like, you know, planting
this plant, literally planting that seed and has sparked and
grown grown the community of Poughkeepsie into a much stronger
and much more resilient community.
Speaker 1 (10:30):
Now, are there other farm communities like the Persian Avenue
Farm in Poughkeepsie.
Speaker 3 (10:35):
Yeah so, uh so similar similar to Persian Avenue Farm.
You have the Dutchess Outreach Farm, which is which is
going to be run by this group called Eating Project
from out of the city. I met with that farmer
a few months ago and stuff like that, and he
told me what his plans are and stuff like that.
I kind of I kind of went there just to
kind of, you know, see what in my community for sure,
(11:00):
you know, I just take I just I just want
to make sure that the right people are are here,
and just you know, to make sure the right things
are happening in the community of Poughkeepsie, because you know,
I've grown here, grown up here all my life, and
I care deeply for this community.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Right. But it's a learning process also because sometimes you know,
a different group, organization or I mean even the yards
it can bring something different to the table that that
helps the total ecosystem, you know, growing not and not
trying to do intentionally any harm.
Speaker 3 (11:30):
Yeah, of course, but you have but yeah, and Eating
Project plans are doing a lot of innovative and interesting
topics too, and and pathways to get into the community
and and do outreach and get people involved. So there's
Eating Project and then obviously you have Poughkeepsie Farm Project,
which is well rightnowned throughout the community. You know, their
CSA and there after school programs and youth programs are
(11:52):
our top not so they continue doing great work. And
and yeah, I'm going to be also this year in particular,
I'm going to be partnering with Titus so Farms and
somebody that creating some more outreach with them, uh in
farmers markets and getting more.
Speaker 2 (12:08):
Into the city of Poughkeepsie.
Speaker 1 (12:10):
I think there's a there's sort of like a false
narrative that you hear often that that there aren't things
for youth to do in the city. I think there are.
There are a number of really wonderful programs in the city.
But what happens is the outreach. Yes, it's not that
you know, just from my humble opinion that it's not
that there's not things to do. It's it's how does
(12:34):
the communication happen between those who want service and those
who can provide whatever it is that that an organization
is off for. You know, that communication I think needs
to be looked at more than there's nothing here, because
there's a there's a lot, you know.
Speaker 2 (12:51):
I agree.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
I mean, Poughkeepsie is known for the service and maybe
too many you know me, you know, let me because
this is this is the place where people come to
for for for different things, and and particularly the youth.
I know, when we had real skills to the family partnership,
there was always people walking in the office that weren't
necessarily looking to UH for what we offered. But we're
(13:13):
looking for something and we can easily say, oh, go
around the hall or yes, this is out there, but
it's it's it's how do you tackle that narrative of
you know, there's not enough when there's no there's there's
a whole lot. It's just the communication needs to be
better to the citizens that that are there.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
Yeah, and we and also community organizations need to get
out of their own bubbles and silos where we're because
where a lot of them are doing a lot of
the same work, applying for a lot of the same
grants and things like that, when we could all work
together to to to make things a lot easier. And
you know, some organizations are top not with their outreach
and some are lacking.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But you're in the same same division. So it's like
we need to create.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
An era and UH and and more pathways and communication
for organizations to work together too, because to achieve their
goals and achieved and make things.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
Happen, right, not not crabs in a bucket, right for sure,
you know, sort of like sort of like what was
the story? The Christmas story is?
Speaker 2 (14:07):
It?
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Was it Macy and Gimbles? And I forgot which one?
And I forgot you know, I think was it? I
forgot who's in the movie? And and he says, well,
why don't you go across the street, Well, we don't
have this here. Why don't you go across the street,
you know and get it at Macy's or get it
at Gimbles? And folks like, what s the competition?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
What? You know? But we're not. We're not in competition
right all.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
We're all trying to achieve the same goal, which like
it's I don't know, it's just very important important to me.
And yeah, we're we're trying new new ways to get
outreach out there and communicate and communicate with with with folks,
boots on the ground, newsletters, you know, social media posts
and stuff like that, just to just just to come
up with new ways and just whenever and whenever an
(14:49):
organization is doing an event comes not only support the event,
but also allow other organizations to to promote their things
and get involved in things like that.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
And and also come out the box, you know. Instead,
it's great to go to the schools and to the
traditional places and what you promote events, but also come
out the box, you know, show up on a block
with some tables with the different organizations and say where
you know that maybe this group of people are not
going to the schools you know whose parents you know?
(15:19):
I mean, we should do a Newburgh illuminated in Newburgh
And I had the Newburghs open Mike and I would
ask people, you know, hey, you coming to and they
were like, well, what's that? I was like, well, you
you know, you live right around the corner from Broadway.
How do you know there was an outreach issue?
Speaker 2 (15:33):
Yes, I agree, you know.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
And so it happens everywhere. But that means that that
you you know, it's like it's like going to church
and preaching to the choir. It means you got to
come out. You got to come out from the church,
you know, and go to the street corner, you know,
and not the street corner that's next to the church,
exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
Go down the block, go go right street, you know,
go by, go buy Tubb and terrorists go go over
and over on those sides where where where people where
you're not reaching the people, get to the people. Like
the basketball court by Tubman is jam packed with folks.
And absolutely you'll definitely see me out there this year
with some tables, giving out produce and stuff like that,
(16:11):
doing outreach and what notot just getting more involved in
the community.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
It's so important if you're just tuning in, you're listening
to finding out with Pete and the poet Gold and
I'm Poet Gold and Peter Leonard is off today and
so he'll be back with us for some of the
other shows. And we're here talking with Nick Jackson, also
known as Farmer Nick, the local citizen of Poughkeepsie, who's
doing some great work teaching us all how to eat
better and even grow our own food. So you have
(16:36):
the beds at Persian and now you have your own
thing that you're doing. Can you explain to people exactly
you know, how someone connects with you so that you
can I believe you said you can go to their
home and teach them how to talk about that.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Yeah, So currently right now, you know, I'm no longer
with the Persian Avenue Project in the capacity of being
the farm manager, but I'm but you know, I'm still
supporting that project. And right now I am helping homeowners
and individuals who want to learn how to grow their
own food but don't necessarily have to set up or
don't have the means to make it happen. Help them
(17:08):
get to a point where they can be self sustaining
and grow their own food at home or or or.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
In the local community.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
So so I'm lobbying with organizations to start to start
public gardens in in certain cities, like like Peak Skill and.
Speaker 2 (17:23):
Stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (17:24):
But then also for homeowners who are interested in getting
their own home gardens set up, you know, I walk
them through the process, give them a crop plan I
provide Currently right now, I'm providing all the seeds and
seedlings as well as as well as fruit trees and
berry bushes. That's all coming coming coming out of my
pocket or or or out of my my network of
(17:49):
people who I can get, who can get materials from
and things like that, just because what you're essentially paying
for is the knowledge and.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
The infrastructure, Like like I don't. I don't.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
I'm trying to get people out of the habit of
thinking that they need to spend money to get their food.
So so providing people that startup of a food trees,
of starter sealings for free, you know what I'm saying
to so so so it breaks that habit of of
oh I need money so I can eat.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
No I can. I got to.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
I got my start produce for free and stuff like that,
and I can I can sustain myself and save some
money and grow food for free because the food, the
food should be that, all foods should be free. Really
like nobody should go nobody should go starving, nobody should
should should should be without. So I decided to make
that a cornerstone of my business operation. So so the
(18:45):
barrier entry is not too extensive for people because you know,
sealings and trees and stuff like that, they're expensive, you know, absolutely,
and and a normal and a normal person doing this
project would you know, charge people in arm in a
lake for the type of things. But you know, I'd
rather make it worth it work for an individual to
get that stuff.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
That's that's very you know, that's very honorable of you,
because you know you said, choo, my eyes raised right,
you said, you walking in with the trees and the
seas and giving it to a public. Wait a minute, now,
you know, but I but I get it. I get
it's it's it's I know where your heart is. You know,
I know your real community brother, you know, and I
have so much high regard and respect you know. That's
(19:26):
why I wanted the audience to meet you and get
to know you and the and the work that you do.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
Do you have a website?
Speaker 3 (19:33):
Yeah, so currently the website is being built to house everything,
but you can you can contact me be in my email, Instagram, Facebook.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
I tell the people your email or which whatever way
you feel comfortable.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
So my email is farmer Nick forty two at gmail
dot com Farmer Nick forty two at gmail dot com.
And you can also follow me on Instagram farmer Nick
zero one on Instagram that's farmer Nick zero one, or
on Facebook Nick Jackson on Facebook or Nico's Modern Life
that's and I see, oh Modern life. And yeah, those
(20:08):
are just where you can get in contact with me.
And yeah, you can you can catch me at Persian,
you can catch me. You can catch me really anywhere.
You can see me dancing if you see if you
see a brother dancing in the street, that's that's most
likely me. And you know, just asking me, Hey, nice
dance moves. But you know I want to learn about
farming and agriculture, so I can put you onto that
as well.
Speaker 1 (20:28):
And and and for those of you if you're trying
to figure out, you know, well, what does what does
farmer Nick look like? You know, if you go on
his website, you'll, I mean, if you go on in
one of his pages, you'll see you'll see an image
of him. But he is a slim, great looking black
man with a refined beard and some locks, you know,
some beautiful locks, well kept. And so you know, yeah,
we tried.
Speaker 2 (20:49):
We tried for sure. For sure I could get a
little carried away for sure.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
But we all can right to do better, right, right,
we all can? You know? So interesting enough, I I
met a really you know, leading up to this show,
like last week, I was out of town and I
get into an Uber And you would believe this if
I told you I got into Uber. I asked a fella,
but what do you do because a lot of Uber drivers,
you know, it's a side gigs in the right and
(21:13):
he owns a family farm nice and I was like,
I was like, you're kidding me. I said, the guess
I'm having next week is actually a farmer and a
good friend of mine. And so we got into this
Conversation's name is Kevin at Purple Mountain Grown. If you
want to look up, they do a rice and beans.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Okay, yeah, yeah, Kevin. I think I know who that is.
I know somebody who's doing rice out here.
Speaker 1 (21:35):
Well, no, he's not. He's not local.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
OK Yeah, I was.
Speaker 1 (21:38):
I was actually in Maryland, you know. But they but
you can get things online, you know. I think it's
called Purple Mountain Propah, Purple Mountain Grown. And I was
telling him all about you, you know, and he has
no idea that I'm talking about him one ear. But
he was such a such a good spirit, he really was.
And we talked about you know, what's that space like
being a black farmer, you know, because if there's not many, yes,
(22:00):
black farmers. I mean, I've always been fascinated. We had
a house up here outside of Deposit, New York when
I was growing up and with a lot of land.
My family we were hunters. My family was a hunting family,
you know, and so and and then there were parts
of my family that that would down south that would
grow tobacco and some type of tree tree sap, you know,
(22:20):
or something. I don't know if it was syrup. I
don't know it was the kid, but they would go tobacco,
and they would do cotton. And I remember having experiencing
picking cotton when I was a kid and knew that
this just wasn't for me. Something you say, you're saying, like, Okay,
you know, it's it's I like playing in the dirt,
but man, it's it's work.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
Yeah, it is. It is, for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
It's work.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
A lot of work, a lot of work, a lot
of a lot of long.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
Hours, and and and and things that you know, recognition
and stuff like that that doesn't that gets unrecognized stuff
at that. But you know, we do the work and
we're very diligent because we know that it's part of
a bigger mission. And there are there are there's a misconception.
There are a lot of black farmers, a lot of
black farmers, A lot of them are just not publicly
(23:06):
recognized by by entities, by individuals and stuff like that.
So so you know, we're we're moving, we're moving in
and in these silos and stuff like that. And and
aside aside from you know, the work that I do,
you know, also doing in my activist work, you know,
starting a group together to to to help empower black
(23:27):
farmers and and and get resources together and and so
we can all achieve our goals in a in a
timely and effective manner and stuff like that.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
I know there's a there's a group. There's another poety Moni,
the poet out of Albany, you know, and she's Powerful Sisters.
She's part of an organization as well, black farming community,
you know. And and when I when I use the
term black, you know, I mean I'm including the brown
community as well.
Speaker 2 (23:54):
You know.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
To me, we will just all the same, you know it, right,
it's just a mad way a boat dropped us off,
I'll say that. And I'm like, you know, we're all
together here, you know. So, But so I know that there,
that there is a movement, you know, up there, and
I think that the work is it's just so important.
Sometimes I believe that people just really don't understand. Yeah, yeah,
(24:15):
what it's really like to you know, be in the
field and doing that work. Especially when people talking about
folks taking their job, it's not a job. If it
was a job you want it, you would have been
doing it right exactly, you know what I'm saying. I mean,
let's let's be real. Yeah, if it was a job
you wanted, you would have been doing it.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Yeah, for real, for real. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
But but you know, opportunities, opportunities come to those who
knock on the door. So so it's like, if you're
if you're concerned about about the positioning and where and
where things are going, get involved, get active, you know,
because because there's there's plenty of space, plenty of space
for that, you know what I'm saying, Like, if you're.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
Just tuning in, you're listening once again to finding out
with Pete and the poet Gold and I poet Gold,
and I'm sitting here with Nick Jackson, farmer. Nick a
local citizen here in the city of Poughkeepsie, but who's
branching his career out in the farming industry. Now you're
going to speak, I believe about a farming event that's
coming up in April. Can you give us a day
for that and tell us a little bit about.
Speaker 3 (25:11):
That so I'm I'm partnering with Mohawk Preserve out in
New Palt's shout out to shout out to them over there.
Lauren and a Shawna we went to school together with
Me and a Shauna went to go together. So shout
out to her for for putting me on to the
pro putting me on to everything. So at Mohawk Preserve
April eleventh, that's a Friday, from six from six pm
(25:33):
to eight pm, I would be doing a presentation and
workshop at with with with the folks over there.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Every everyone is invited. There's there's going to be a.
Speaker 3 (25:42):
Press, presscutarve release and sign up sheets and stuff like
that to going out, so you can so you can
contact me for that. But basically it is a it
is a it is a workshop and storytelling in terms
of teaching about the history of ogriculture and where and
where we're going and how to how to progress forward
into this new age, teaching people how to grow their
(26:03):
own food using using recycled and upcycled material to uh
to to to promote you know, a healthier a healthier environment.
But then also just you know, eliminate waste and stuff
like that. Just just keeping that keeping everything environmentally friendly.
So we're going to be doing some upcycling and planting
workshops workshops during during it as well, and I'll be
(26:26):
having a presentation on gorilla gardening, which is which is
a new venture that I'm that I'm diving into since
land access is is slowly becoming very scarce, so but
I still want to be able to to provide opportunities
and also give people solutions and avenues to grow on
their own food. So gorilla gardening, which is basically just
just the spontaneous act of planting in public areas, whether
(26:49):
it be vacant lots, whether it be old planters on
the side of the streets, tires, turning a turning a
car into a greenhouse, just just innovative ways to just
grow food, but then also be be a statement and
a protest to two things that are going on in
today's society.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Now. I can't wait till you get your website up
so that people can can donate and support you, because
you know you're walking in you know, giving them seedlings
and giving them you know, little trees or fruit trees
or whatever it is that it is, and you're donating
is to this you know, people and it seems that
they're paying a minimal cost to uh, you know, for
(27:25):
your craft and and and you know me, I've always
advocated I think that that being a farmer and growing
food and understanding how to grow food as an art
form in itself. I believe in people supporting the artists
so that they can do their best work, because we
all are beneficiaries, you know, we're all and in this
particular case, it's even a higher level because it's it's
(27:47):
really tangible. It's food.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
It's food. Yes, it's food.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
So that's that's your time and your money, and you
should be supporting that way. So hurry up, get that
web This is is your mental going hurry up to
get that website.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I will go, I would.
Speaker 1 (28:00):
I'm working on it for sure. So what's happening. I'm
gonna switch a little bit, you know, and then we're
gonna come back to the farming before we wrap it up.
What's happening with the art?
Speaker 3 (28:08):
Yeah, So so yeah, I'm still in the arts, still dancing,
you know, rh Rhythm of Water productions where you know,
we're still making things happen, and I'm doing a lot
of cool things with my Fire dance team scid Fire Flow.
We're now going under at sci Fire just and we're
going to be partnering with Jamie Ransom, who's going to
(28:29):
be doing an art gallery in March, starting March fifteenth
ending ending May twentie. If I believe is the timeframe
for the gallery. It's going to be in Newburgh. I
can't remember. I don't have the gallery name right in
front of me, but myself and my team, my SciFi
is going to be performing during a special artist panel
(28:52):
in Showcase April nineteenth. Very excited for that. It's going
to be We're gonna be doing an artist panel where
you can meet all the artists who are going to
be showcasing the gallery and then also a you know,
a two part performance series done by myself and my
and my.
Speaker 1 (29:08):
Team because we had Jamie on back in February for
Black History Months, and we had our father on as well. Ransom.
Speaker 3 (29:15):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
Yeah, really really phenomenal people and the talented curator. So
that sounds like a great show to come out and
check out. That will be going through May right May, okay? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,
good good yeah. Yeah, it'll be going through going through
March into may Our Showcase is going to be in April,
so yeah, I'll be going to look out for that,
(29:36):
all right. Nick, Well, it was great having you you know,
and farmer Nick. Yes, thank you, thank you for dropping
through today, and thank you to our listeners to listening
to finding out with Pete the Poet Gold
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