AfroEcology

AfroEcology is BSI's approach to land stewardship, blending AfroIndigenous ecological wisdom with modern conservation science (like USDA NRCS practices) to help Black and Afroindigenous growers build resilient, self-sufficient farms.

Black and Afroindigenous growers have always carried land wisdom, but access to NRCS resources, funding, and certifications hasn't always followed. AfroEcology closes that gap, pairing traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices so growers can access funding, apply for programs like NRCS's Conservation Stewardship Program, and build farms that are more self-sufficient and resilient.

The AfroEcologist 3-Day Intensive is a hybrid training course, part online, part in-person, designed for growers, landowners, and enthusiasts ready to go deeper into AfroIndigenous ecological practices and NRCS conservation science. Through online classes, slide decks, quizzes, and a hands-on farm field day, participants build real, field-tested skills in areas like irrigation, high tunnel construction, and sustainable land management.

Graduates have the opportunity to become a paid extension of BSI's AfroEcology Program, helping ensure fellow farmers and landowners adopt respectful, sustainable practices and connecting them to funding opportunities like NRCS's Conservation Stewardship Program. You'll also learn to use the BSI map to link growers together across your region.

AfroEcology is a movement to reclaim Black land, knowledge, and power through sustainable agriculture. At Black Sustainability, Inc. (BSI), AfroEcology brings together ancestral African and African diasporic farming wisdom with modern regenerative and climate-smart practices to help Black farmers build resilient, self-determined food systems.

Our programs move AfroEcology from idea to action. Participants gain hands-on training, access to conservation tools and funding pathways, and support from experienced practitioners and partner organizations. From high tunnels and water systems to cooperative economics and land stewardship, we equip growers with the skills and resources needed to thrive in a changing climate and economy.