Cultivating Community: How One Urban Farm is Transforming Kansas City's Food Landscape

Star Nealy's journey from construction worker to urban farmer has been a testament to the power of community-driven change. Her 1.5-acre farm in the Vineyard neighborhood of Kansas City has become a beacon of sustainability, providing thousands of pounds of fresh produce to those in need, while also serving as a hub for education and empowerment.

Nourishing the Underserved with Fresh Produce

Transforming a Dumping Ground into a Thriving Farm

When the Nealys first took control of the land on Cypress Avenue, now the Global One Urban Farming site, it was a dumping ground, littered with 82 tires and other debris. But the couple saw the potential in the land and set out to transform it into a productive farm. Through their hard work and dedication, they have now grown more than 30,000 pounds of fresh produce to give to their community at no cost.

Addressing Food Deserts and Providing Access to Healthy Foods

The Nealy's farm serves as a local distribution hub for their East Side community, which is classified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a food desert. Each week, they pick up thousands of pounds of donated produce from Loffredo's Fresh Foods, Kanbe's Markets, and After the Harvest, and distribute it to veterans, seniors, and low-income families. This initiative ensures that those who might otherwise lack access to fresh, healthy foods can now enjoy the bounty of the Nealy's farm.

Fostering a Collaborative Local Food System

The Nealy's story is an example of the growing interconnectedness of Kansas City's local food system. Late last year, KC Healthy Kids, in collaboration with Cultivate KC, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), New Growth, and other community stakeholders, produced a regional food system action plan. This plan aims to "connect local food producers and consumers, expand existing markets, and improve community food security."

Empowering the Community through Education

Education has been a pillar of the Nealy's business for many years. Before starting the farm, they taught kindergartners through highschoolers how to grow food at African Centered College Preparatory Academy and other area schools. Now, they continue to share their knowledge and inspire their neighbors, many of whom have started growing food in their own yards.

Addressing Equity and Representation in the Local Food System

The Nealy's are part of the Kansas City Black Urban Growers (KCBUGs), a group that is passionate about agriculture and fresh food education. Dina Newman, the founder and CEO of KC BUGs, emphasizes the importance of addressing the lack of diversity in Kansas City's local food system. According to USDA Census data, the number of producers of color nationwide decreased from 2017 to 2022, with the population of Black producers decreasing by more than 8% during the same period.

Pursuing Sustainable Livelihoods and Ecological Sustainability

For Mary Hendrickson, a rural sociologist and associate professor at the University of Missouri, sustainability in the food system carries a double meaning. On one hand, it's about the longevity of farmers and farm workers, ensuring they can serve their local community and earn a good livelihood. On the other, it's about the ecological relationship between food production and soil loss, water quality, and carbon emissions.

Empowering Consumers to Drive Change

Throughout the Harvesting Change series, Flatland has asked sources what consumers need to do to support a more sustainable food system. The advice has ranged from voting with the consumer dollar and buying local to asking questions about food, talking to farmers, calling elected officials, and planting a garden. As Hendrickson suggests, developing informed viewpoints about the food system and the food we consume can help us act collaboratively to address the issues across the food system.The Nealy's story is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the transformative potential of urban agriculture. By providing fresh, healthy food to those in need, educating the next generation, and fostering a more equitable and sustainable local food system, they are paving the way for a brighter future in Kansas City and beyond.