Agriculture is everywhere, even in Wisconsin’s most populated cities. Brandi Grayson is the CEO of Urban Triage in Madison. With help from USDA and donors, Urban Triage has programming to support Black Wisconsin farmers as they strive to build farm businesses.
Grayson says their agriculture programming at the Farley Center has become its most popular service and has been successful in generating new businesses.
The Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture workgroup series is a 12-week leadership program that teaches the basics of growing your food as well as the entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture. They distribute over 5,000 lbs of organic produce through a free, CSA program.
“Agriculture is actually our most popular program,” she says. “We have a waiting list every summer for folks who desire to be in our program. When folks are out there, they fall in love.”
She says one family that went through the program has started a garden plot and is selling food. Another member of the program went on to start a flower business and is selling flowers at farmers’ markets.
Learn more and join the waitlist: https://form-usa.keela.co/shba-waitlist
Hemp Program
The new Hemp Specialty Crop Program for Black Entrepreneurs educates and supports people interested in the hemp industry. The program covers various aspects of hemp cultivation, harvesting, processing, marketing, and business strategy. Each student accepted into the program will get a $2,500 grant to support their business venture.
Grayson says this program also saw extraordinary interest.
“I know that we’re going to see some success stories from that because the entrance was amazing,” she says.
Learn more and join the waitlist: https://form-usa.keela.co/specialty-crop-hemp-program-2024-waitlist
