Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day from UGArden!
Today and every day, we honor that the land we farm historically belonged to the Keowee Okani people, a sect of the Muskogee, or Creek, Nation. Our area has been occupied by indigenous peoples for at least 12,000 years.
Did you know that the sustainable food movement has its roots in indigenous agriculture? Key techniques in organic farming, like crop rotation, composting, and use of natural fertilizers, are based in Native American practices.
Indigenous leaders are also at the forefront of the food sovereignty movement. Food sovereignty is an approach to fighting hunger that focuses on building community-based, local food systems and promoting access to culturally and geographically relevant foods.
1 in 4 Native Americans face food insecurity – that’s more than double the national average. But groups like the Indigenous Food Systems Network, @intertribalag, the Native American Food Sovereignty Alliance, @nativeseedssearch, and many more are tackling this important issue with food sovereignty at the forefront of their efforts.
We’re proud to look towards the indigenous community for leadership in sustainable agriculture and fighting hunger. Thank you to the many people who contribute to these vital centers of knowledge!
Sources: @foodtank, @nationalfarmersunion, @climaterealityproject, Montana Office of Public Instruction, Compost Research and Education Foundation, Indigenous Food Systems Network, Access Genealogy
