We had the good fortune of connecting with Derravia K. & Bobby Rich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derravia K. & Bobby, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The agriculture industry is much different than what it has been in the past. It has recently evolved into different facets that many people may have not associated the industry with. Such as the many career opportunities that are available within the agriculture industry, recent technological advancements, and the increase in diversity. Agriculture is for everyone and agriculture is interconnected with everything. Many are unaware that the agriculture industry is becoming more inclusive and diverse and is also being driven by the use of technology/tech. In recent years, many companies and farmers are stepping up to pave the way towards a new wave in farming.

 

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Derravia K. Rich. I, along with my husband Bobby are the owners of an unconventional urban garden named Black Seeds Urban Farms LLC. Bobby and I started working in our neighborhood several years ago growing foods in my grandparent’s backyard to help families in my community who didn’t have access to fresh foods or transportation to nearby grocery stores. In doing so, we realized how the need for non-toxic foods was increasing. In an effort to assist families in need, we decided to start a non-profit organization that specialized in growing foods in food insecure areas. Just as my Grandfather did decades before we started. Bobby and I harvested bulks of food that we gave away for free to people who needed it. My Grandfather grew foods in our home garden decades before that he would use to feed our family and neighbors. After his death, his garden was depleted until Bobby started to learn new garden techniques from my uncle, Robert “Bubay” Freeman. After weeks of informal garden training from my uncle, he and Bobby revitalized my Grandfather’s garden. After two summers, we decided to take Bobby’s passion more seriously and we started Black Seeds in 2019. After we realized the increasing amount of people we served from our small home garden, it was a wakeup call to not only realize the severity of fresh foods needed nationally but to actually step up as community leaders and create a resolution to the problem. So, we decided to start a small business. 2019 was the year we started to take our good works in our neighborhood more seriously. Prior to the pandemic, we made plans to open in May 2020 but due to the uprise of the pandemic, we opened July 3, 2021. Since we opened, we have received an enormous amount of support that has uniquely set us apart from other local gardeners/ farmers. That reason is because we cultivated a space that benefits in many ways. Black Seeds is an all-inclusive, splendid Garden that has a commitment to providing an enjoyable and therapeutic outdoor experience for all to enjoy. Our garden is a place where you can come to pick fresh harvest, read a book, just to simply contemplate, or to enjoy our Picnic Packages. Black Seeds Urban Farms is an unorthodox garden that has the capacity to do whatever you like! Not only do we grow delicious foods, but we cultivated a space that is therapeutic and enjoyable! We are most proud that our garden is an undeniable space that welcomes all people from different walks of life. Black Seeds Urban Farms is the revitalization & stimulation that Memphis communities/people need. It was created for locals to relax outdoors and enjoy a private space that has a commitment to open mindedness, healthy living, and eating. We have created a space that not only shapes a new outlook on the food we eat but where it is grown. Our core mission is to collectively bring people together to live a healthier lifestyle and to bring awareness to the importance of redefining purpose through people & the planet we live on. Our goal is to be a resource to serve as many people as possible in the Greenlaw community and surrounding areas throughout Memphis with sustainable, delicious foods grown within their neighborhood. To contribute our efforts in reimaging our city has been an exhilarating experience for both myself and my husband. Being a part of the change, we believe in has also been a fundamental change in our spiritual lives. We have learned so much from a single community project that has turned into working on ecological restoration projects throughout inner city Memphis. As young, black food growers in Tennessee, we want the world to know that we are committed to growing foods in disinvested neighborhoods, as well as changing the narrative as farmers are seen in America. Our story is truly an example of believing in your vision and committing to being the change you want to see.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We love Memphis food. And we visit black owned restaurants in Memphis regularly. Our favorite food spots are Evelyn & Olive, Smooth Living, SAGE Memphis, Plant Based Heat, Trap Fusion and Eggxactly in Whitehaven. We also love to have a hot cup of coffee from Muggins or a tasty smoothie from Juice Bar!!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to first and foremost recognize our family for their continuous support. Our family and beautiful daughter Khoi A. Rich have all been so helpful and patient during the planning and implementation process. Throughout our journey of building Black Seeds Urban Farms our family and the Greenlaw community have shown an outpour of love and words of motivation to continue our works in distressed neighborhoods. We also want to shoutout the City of Memphis Community Redevelopment Agency for partnering in our efforts to revitalize blighted areas throughout the City of Memphis. Our success is truly in debt to the people who believe in and encourage our vision to create sustainable foods growing systems in underserved neighborhoods.

Website: www.blackseedsurbanfarm.com

Instagram: @blackseedsurbanfarms

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.