The Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project is a collaboration between Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, Princeton University, and Spelman College. The project documents stories of people who have been working to preserve Black and Indigenous seed and foodways.
Mar 19, 2024

Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project

The Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project is a collaboration between Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance, Princeton University, and Spelman College. The project documents stories of people who have been working to preserve Black and Indigenous seed and foodways.
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Tammy and Richard Crawford discuss their childhoods and the ways in which gardening influenced it. They both touch on their family recipes and the importance of cultural foods, like "chicken and pastry". They share about herbal remedies and the use of herbal tea. Tammy and Richard reminisce on their deceased son and the gardening knowledge he taught them. The interview concludes with a story of gardening with their granddaughter, and leaves us with an emphasis on passing the love of gardening on to new generations and leaving a legacy.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Tammy & Richard Crawford by Ayluonne Tereszkiewicz, September 27, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-27
Description
Tammy and Richard Crawford discuss their childhoods and the ways in which gardening influenced it. They both touch on their family recipes and the importance of cultural foods, like "chicken and pastry". They share about herbal remedies and the use of herbal tea. Tammy and Richard reminisce on their deceased son and the gardening knowledge he taught them. The interview concludes with a story of gardening with their granddaughter, and leaves us with an emphasis on passing the love of gardening on to new generations and leaving a legacy.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, April 16, 1964, Female, Male, Black/African American, Caucasian, African American, American, Pitt County, NC, Pitt County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Allard Robert tells about his work in the garden and how he incorporates the Boy Scouts that he mentors. He reflects on being in the Navy and growing up in Coleraine, Massachusetts. He shares memories of his grandmother and how those shape his love for gardening, and discusses crops that he grows and garden practices.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Robert Allard by Tessa Desmond, September 27, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-27
Description
Allard Robert tells about his work in the garden and how he incorporates the Boy Scouts that he mentors. He reflects on being in the Navy and growing up in Coleraine, Massachusetts. He shares memories of his grandmother and how those shape his love for gardening, and discusses crops that he grows and garden practices.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, Pitt County, NC, Franklin County, MA
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Ms. Vivian Fields was born and raised in Farmville, NC. In this interview she discusses growing up in segregated Farmville, family recipes including collards, chicken pastry, barbecue pork, and spaghetti.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Vivian Fields by Tessa Desmond, September 27, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-27
Description
Ms. Vivian Fields was born and raised in Farmville, NC. In this interview she discusses growing up in segregated Farmville, family recipes including collards, chicken pastry, barbecue pork, and spaghetti.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, February 28, 1947, Female, African American, Pitt County, NC, Pitt County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Retired caterer Valerie Garner discusses her family's long history of gardening and seed saving. In this interview she also highlights her experience with the Farmville Community Garden, volunteering at the soup kitchen, and her love of baking. Plants/recipes mentioned include pepper vinegar, butter beans, and sugar pudding.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Valerie Garner by Tessa Desmond, September 27, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-27
Description
Retired caterer Valerie Garner discusses her family's long history of gardening and seed saving. In this interview she also highlights her experience with the Farmville Community Garden, volunteering at the soup kitchen, and her love of baking. Plants/recipes mentioned include pepper vinegar, butter beans, and sugar pudding.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, June 6, 1953, Female, Afican American, Pitt County, NC, Pitt County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
In this interview, Eulalia Williams discusses the process of co-founding the Farmville Community Garden. Additionally, she highlights how her dual upbringing in California (and Farmville during the summers) influenced her relationship with cooking, gardening, and the land. Plant varieties discussed include okra, collards, and tomatoes
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Eulalia Williams by Tessa Desmond, September 9, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-09
Description
In this interview, Eulalia Williams discusses the process of co-founding the Farmville Community Garden. Additionally, she highlights how her dual upbringing in California (and Farmville during the summers) influenced her relationship with cooking, gardening, and the land. Plant varieties discussed include okra, collards, and tomatoes
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, March 18, 1949, Female, Black, African American, Pitt County, NC, Wilson County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Alonzo Willoughby Jr. reflects about growing up on his family farm in segregated Farmville, NC. Alonzo mentions numerous crops that his parents grew and a few dishes that they would make. He discusses integration, housing, the farming community, development, and general life in Farmville. He concludes the interview with a few words about a book he hopes to write.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Alonzo Willoughby Jr. by Tessa Desmond, September 9, 2023
Date Created
2023-09-09
Description
Alonzo Willoughby Jr. reflects about growing up on his family farm in segregated Farmville, NC. Alonzo mentions numerous crops that his parents grew and a few dishes that they would make. He discusses integration, housing, the farming community, development, and general life in Farmville. He concludes the interview with a few words about a book he hopes to write.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, June 23, 1940, Male, Black, Pitt County, NC, Pitt County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Ira Wallace tells about her own collard journey throughout this interview. She talks about growing up and gardening with her grandmother, her involvement in egalitarian communities, and her many different experiences that brought her to the work of stewarding collards. She discusses the details of the Heirloom Collard Project and the people who helped. Ira ends the interview with hopes for the future and a call to action for community gardens to encourage seed growing.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Ira Wallace by Chris Keeve, Justin Zhang, Nathalie Charles, July 27, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-27
Description
Ira Wallace tells about her own collard journey throughout this interview. She talks about growing up and gardening with her grandmother, her involvement in egalitarian communities, and her many different experiences that brought her to the work of stewarding collards. She discusses the details of the Heirloom Collard Project and the people who helped. Ira ends the interview with hopes for the future and a call to action for community gardens to encourage seed growing.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, August 25, 1948, Female, Black, African American, Louisa County, VA, Taylor County, FL
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
s. Bonnetta Adeeb shares the story of her childhood and leaving the Jim Crow South to California with her family, as well as her return to the East. Adeeb reflects on the prominent projects she has led in Maryland and the SE, as well as the work she is currently doing with seeds, collards, and school forest farming. She explores themes of African cultural heritage, the South, gardening, and seed saving. Towards the end of the interviews, she emphasizes the importance of involving everyone in the work of reconnecting to their cultures, food, and nature.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Bonnetta Adeeb by Chris Keeve, July 26, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-26
Description
s. Bonnetta Adeeb shares the story of her childhood and leaving the Jim Crow South to California with her family, as well as her return to the East. Adeeb reflects on the prominent projects she has led in Maryland and the SE, as well as the work she is currently doing with seeds, collards, and school forest farming. She explores themes of African cultural heritage, the South, gardening, and seed saving. Towards the end of the interviews, she emphasizes the importance of involving everyone in the work of reconnecting to their cultures, food, and nature.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, African American, Prince Georges County, MD, Wayne County, MI
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Mr. Don Madden shares about his experience growing up on his family's farm in Lafayette, Georgia, during the 1940s/50s. He shares about farming practices, sharing with neighbors, and the foods they prepared. Madden also shares about his current ventures and his dreams to get the community involved in growing, especially children, on his own land.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Don Madden by Chris Keeve, July 25, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-25
Description
Mr. Don Madden shares about his experience growing up on his family's farm in Lafayette, Georgia, during the 1940s/50s. He shares about farming practices, sharing with neighbors, and the foods they prepared. Madden also shares about his current ventures and his dreams to get the community involved in growing, especially children, on his own land.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, August 18, 1939, Male, Black, Black American, Charles County, MD, Walker County, GA
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Twin sisters Kathy Anderson and Karen Bolding discuss their lifelong relationship with gardening, foraging, and interacting with the land. These early experiences inspired their careers in environmentalism and science as well as their work writing children's books about plants. Their goal is to make the outdoors accessible and exciting in particular for children of color.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Kathy Anderson and Karen Bowlding by Justin Zhang and Natalie Charles, July 21, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-21
Description
Twin sisters Kathy Anderson and Karen Bolding discuss their lifelong relationship with gardening, foraging, and interacting with the land. These early experiences inspired their careers in environmentalism and science as well as their work writing children's books about plants. Their goal is to make the outdoors accessible and exciting in particular for children of color.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, March 9, 1965, Female, American, American, Prince Georges County, MD, Washington County, DC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Gwendolyn Buggs recalls her experience growing up in segregated Hallsboro, NC. She recounts the roles her grandparents played in shaping the type of foods they ate, and reminisces about processing vegetables with her family. She shares numerous recipes, family histories, and touches on the historical context in which they were shaped by. She ends the interview with sharing gratitude about her life in Hallsboro.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Gwendolyn Buggs by Chris Keeve, July 21, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-21
Description
Gwendolyn Buggs recalls her experience growing up in segregated Hallsboro, NC. She recounts the roles her grandparents played in shaping the type of foods they ate, and reminisces about processing vegetables with her family. She shares numerous recipes, family histories, and touches on the historical context in which they were shaped by. She ends the interview with sharing gratitude about her life in Hallsboro.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, December 30, 1942, Female, African American, African American, Mecklenburg County, NC, Columbus County, NC
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Martin Roseman reflects on his herbal elixir company, Altered, and on his intimate relationship with herbs. He shares about their healing properties, both emotional and physiological, and highlights his favorite plants throughout. Martin offers his thoughts around healing, land, and agriculture, and recalls his family�s story of land separation as Black people in the South. He ends the interview by bringing attention to the importance of symbiotic relationships in nature and how we can better ourselves by paying attention to them.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Martin Roseman by David Smith, July 10, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-10
Description
Martin Roseman reflects on his herbal elixir company, Altered, and on his intimate relationship with herbs. He shares about their healing properties, both emotional and physiological, and highlights his favorite plants throughout. Martin offers his thoughts around healing, land, and agriculture, and recalls his family�s story of land separation as Black people in the South. He ends the interview by bringing attention to the importance of symbiotic relationships in nature and how we can better ourselves by paying attention to them.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, October 31, 1995, Male, Mixed/Multi, Hispanic/African, Kings County, NY
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Fatima Jackson shares about her experience growing up in Nigeria and the farming methods her parents practiced. She explores the staple crops they grew and the dishes they made, and how that influences her current life in Kentucky. Fatima tells about the crops she is working to preserve, the markets she works with, and the numerous seeds she desires to keep for her community.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Fatima Jackson by Chris Keeve, July 10, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-10
Description
Fatima Jackson shares about her experience growing up in Nigeria and the farming methods her parents practiced. She explores the staple crops they grew and the dishes they made, and how that influences her current life in Kentucky. Fatima tells about the crops she is working to preserve, the markets she works with, and the numerous seeds she desires to keep for her community.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, September 29, 1985, Female, Black, Hausa/African American, Mercer County, KY, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Alexis Yamashita reflects on her life as a Japanese American and shares stories about her family history and related food memories. Alexis gives an overview of her work with egalitarian communities and seeds throughout. Likewise, she mentions some of her favorite crops, how religion relates to her work, and her hopes for the future.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Alexis Yamashita by Chris Keeve, Justin Zhang and Nathalie Charles, July 7, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-07
Description
Alexis Yamashita reflects on her life as a Japanese American and shares stories about her family history and related food memories. Alexis gives an overview of her work with egalitarian communities and seeds throughout. Likewise, she mentions some of her favorite crops, how religion relates to her work, and her hopes for the future.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, May 29, 1986, Female, Japanese, Hispanic, Louisa County, VA, Virginia Beach, VA
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin discusses her family's history of land stewardship, farming, and seed saving. Highlighting cash crops like tobacco as well as more personal varieties such as tomatoes and blackberries, El-Amin showcases the sensorial and lived experiences of food and agriculture. She also discusses her growing interest and work in herbalism and herbal medicine.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin by Chris Keeve, July 6, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-06
Description
Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin discusses her family's history of land stewardship, farming, and seed saving. Highlighting cash crops like tobacco as well as more personal varieties such as tomatoes and blackberries, El-Amin showcases the sensorial and lived experiences of food and agriculture. She also discusses her growing interest and work in herbalism and herbal medicine.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, September 23, 1984, Female, Black, African American, Madison County, GA, Travis County, TX
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Originally from Rwanda, Jennifer Kanyamibwa reflects on her cultural heritage and the ways her background shapes her current work. Jennifer is the Co-Founder of Plant Lady Juice Co. in West Atlanta, GA, and reflects in this interview about her professional journey. She discusses Rwandan traditions and food, gardening and herbs, family, and the African diaspora.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Jennifer Kanyamibwa by David Smith, July 5, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-05
Description
Originally from Rwanda, Jennifer Kanyamibwa reflects on her cultural heritage and the ways her background shapes her current work. Jennifer is the Co-Founder of Plant Lady Juice Co. in West Atlanta, GA, and reflects in this interview about her professional journey. She discusses Rwandan traditions and food, gardening and herbs, family, and the African diaspora.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, August 25, 1988, Female, Black, Black/African, Fulton County, GA, Rutsiro, Rwanda
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Former Black history professor and current farmer Nancy Dawson discusses the history of agricultural practices in her native state of Kansas in addition to Illinois, Kentucky, and more. She highlights the process of doing urban farming and reconnecting African Americans with farming and land. On a personal level, she discusses her own family - particularly her great-grandmother who escaped slavery - and their relationship with the land and agriculture.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Nancy Dawson by Chris Keeve, July 1, 2023
Date Created
2023-07-01
Description
Former Black history professor and current farmer Nancy Dawson discusses the history of agricultural practices in her native state of Kansas in addition to Illinois, Kentucky, and more. She highlights the process of doing urban farming and reconnecting African Americans with farming and land. On a personal level, she discusses her own family - particularly her great-grandmother who escaped slavery - and their relationship with the land and agriculture.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, October 22, 1966, Female, African American, Black, Logan County, KY, Wyandotte County, KS
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Emmanuel Fields discusses the history of his family and their migration from Louisiana to Chicago, and finally to Kentucky. Throughout his story, Emmanuel explores the dynamics of race within his own life, and how race impacts Black growers. He highlights his work in conservation, as well as his journey to gardening and oral history work and touches on the ways this work impacts him and his community.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Emmanuel Fields by Chris Keeve, June 30, 2023
Date Created
2023-06-30
Description
Emmanuel Fields discusses the history of his family and their migration from Louisiana to Chicago, and finally to Kentucky. Throughout his story, Emmanuel explores the dynamics of race within his own life, and how race impacts Black growers. He highlights his work in conservation, as well as his journey to gardening and oral history work and touches on the ways this work impacts him and his community.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, February 2, 1986, Male, Black, African American, Fayette County, KY, Harris County, TX
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Ayana Burroughs describes her experience working as a teacher and shares about her journey to school garden education. She talks about her students and their relationships to food, and the ways in which her students have grown since being involved in the school garden. She gives her insights on social issues, like food deserts and apartheid, and offers her real life experience witnessing it in Atlanta, GA. The interview ends with Burroughs' reflection on the severance between Black people and their seeds, and offers her hopes of more people reconnecting to the land.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Ayana Burroughs by Kaia Godsey, June 20, 2023
Date Created
2023-06-20
Description
Ayana Burroughs describes her experience working as a teacher and shares about her journey to school garden education. She talks about her students and their relationships to food, and the ways in which her students have grown since being involved in the school garden. She gives her insights on social issues, like food deserts and apartheid, and offers her real life experience witnessing it in Atlanta, GA. The interview ends with Burroughs' reflection on the severance between Black people and their seeds, and offers her hopes of more people reconnecting to the land.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, August 21, 1994, Female, Black, African American, Fulton County, GA, Decatur County, GA
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Folami Harris, a Black woman farmer in Georgia, discusses the food and garden scene in her childhood home of Jamaica as well as how her international travel has inspired her contemporary farm and food work. In this interview she speaks about foods such as peppers, banana leaves, sweet potatoes, and more. Additionally, she discusses the lack of structured support for lower-income and woman of color farmers.
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project
Interview with Folami Harris by David Smith, June 13, 2023
Date Created
2023-06-13
Description
Folami Harris, a Black woman farmer in Georgia, discusses the food and garden scene in her childhood home of Jamaica as well as how her international travel has inspired her contemporary farm and food work. In this interview she speaks about foods such as peppers, banana leaves, sweet potatoes, and more. Additionally, she discusses the lack of structured support for lower-income and woman of color farmers.
Subject
Oral history, Food heritage, Female, Black/African American, Caribbean/Jamaican, Newton County, GA, Kingston, Jamaica
Collection
Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project