D-Town Farm

Detroit, MI

D Town Farm is a seven-acre organic farm in Detroit's Rouge Park owned by the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN) – a dynamic grassroots, community-based non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating food security, food justice, and food sovereignty for the residents of Detroit's African American community. The organization's mission is rooted in principles of love, African self-determination, respect for life and nature, justice, and integrity.

Apprentices will engage in diverse tasks including tending to over 30 fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and participating in community-building events. This includes planting, cultivating, weeding, harvesting, sorting, packing, and distribution of fresh produce. Apprentices are encouraged to participate in farm-hosted events like the "What's for Dinner?" lecture series, weekend workshops, and to visit their weekend farmstand to see the fruits of their labor.

Born out of a founding meeting in 2006 at the Black Star Community Bookstore, DBCFSN emerged in response to the need for Detroit's African American population to actively participate and lead in the local food movement. Rooted in earlier work at Nsoroma Institute Public School Academy and the Shamba Organic Garden Collective, DBCFSN grew as a hub for gardeners, chefs, advocates of healthy eating, and supporters of food co-ops. Over the years, the organization evolved, contributing significantly to the discourse on racial justice and equity in the food system.

DBCFSN is distinguished by its commitment to environmental justice, conducting public education campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of the current food system on the planet, health, and community economies. The organization is a proud member of the Congo Beehive Coalition, championing beekeeping to empower women and children. Additionally, as part of a coalition with Oakland Avenue Urban Farm and Keep Growing Detroit, DBCFSN is actively involved in rebuilding inter-generational land ownership for Black Farmers in Detroit.