Why We Farm

Food is a basic human need and thus a human right!

Perris, CA

My solution to the problem of poverty starts with a seed. Poverty is the root of crime, it serves as the cause of hunger among many. Poverty can not exist if the world will ever be a place of peace. One solution is to build more local businesses and create a free food system. 

If the world is going to be a peaceful place then more people will have to have access to the basic human rights. Human rights are needs that a human must have met in order to survive. Without basic human rights like food, clothing, and shelter its likely a human wouldn't survive. Not having  basic human rights and living in poverty, puts a person into a survival mode, where the person's actions are centered around securing those human rights. Living in poverty usually means less opportunity because of a lack of social network or capital, causing a person living in poverty to secure basic needs using unorthodox methods. These unorthodox methods can be very creative but some can be both creative and illegal, making the person trying to secure basic human rights a criminal. This is where I see the problem of poverty. That people can be punished in the justice system, for trying to secure human rights to survive. 

Since I find poverty a problem, I believe it is my responsibility to also find a solution. Since poverty can be characterized by a situation where a person does not have the ability to obtain basic human needs, my solution is to make basic human needs more available to people with no money. My solution starts with a seed. That seed grows into a produce, a plant and can then be consumed by a person, preventing starvation. The goal is to plant many large gardens where people in poverty can work in collaboration with the each other to grow their own food. Growing their own food will limit the amount of income a person needs to spend on just eating and grocery shopping. Saving money this way can allow the person to start other business ventures. If more poor people are able to create businesses and establish a local economy, then fewer people would be poor, thus eliminating poverty. I'm not the only one who believe in growing food to eliminate poverty and want either. This is the catalyst that drives many, it is the number one reason, Why we Farm.

STORY OF A DAIRY GOAT

GOT MILK?  I DO !

THE STORY OF A DAIRY GOAT 

                                                                                                                         

Perris,CA

 

Good milk cost Good money! With milk prices sky high at around $11/gallon for fresh milk, urban environmentalist and budget shoppers alike are looking for alternatives to get their dairy.  In fact 

A GOAT NAMED CLEM

In March of this year (2016) we acquired our first dairy goat. Sister Elizabeth, named her Clem. Clem was only 3 months old when she arrived, the age in-which a goat becomes a kid or doeling and no longer needs to drink their mothers milk. She was small enough to fit in the backseat of our Prius which made her easy to drive around when doing errands. People look at you different when they realize your "dog" is a goat". But who cares, a goat produces milk and a dog, well...

 There are many benefits to owning a diary goat. First they are much easier to manage compared to a large dairy cow. This creates a benefit because goats produce a generous amount of manure that will be used on our farm for fertilizer. Secondly dairy goats eat unwanted weeds from our pasture area and clear out the land for tilling the following season. Thirdly dairy goats make great companions, they are very friendly and if treated well will be approachable by people. The most important benefit of owning a dairy goat is obviously the fact that they can produce scrumptious, delicious, fresh milk daily. In fact, a dairy goat produces 1/2- 1 1/2 gallons of milk a day.  And finally, for those most concern with the bottom line. Below, demonstrates how you too will benefit from a dairy goat. Even when you have your first baby, keep in mind this. 

A GOAT SAVES MONEY $$.

 

FARM FRESH EGGS!

Perris, CA

We all have to eat! That's one unifying idea , that we believe can end poverty and want . It's Yofoods part, in spreading peace in the world. One important food item is fresh eggs.

As of April 2016, Yofoods has started producing eggs. We started with just a flock of 6 hens. As of now , we have a total of 21 hens. Our girls get royal treatment, from a 100% vegetarian diet, to over 6 hours a day in free roaming time. They have ample space and fresh clean water at their disposal all day. In the coming months, we hope to increase our production tremendously, to meet our staggering growing demand! With the help and support of our customers,  we plan on increasing our flock size to 75 laying hens. We will require $450 , to make this expansion a success. This will require a larger coop, more watering stations, and feeders. It's a reachable goal that we are blessed to strive to achieve. We firmly believe that "Fresh eggs, are the best eggs. And Yofoods only has the best!

Monica Perez,  a happy customer gets her eggs delivered! 

Organic Is Not Good Enough

by Dr. Ridgely Abdul Mu’min Muhammad

THE FARMER 
Shortened from Farmer Newsletter Click Here for Full Article

Yes, you can eat the spinach from Muhammad Farms. We hope to be picking spinach in November. It will be holistically grown which we believe is better than "organic" because we want you to eat to live.
The source of the recent E. coli outbreak in spinach has been narrowed down to three counties in California. The contaminated spinach was supposedly grown on an "organic" farm. I put quotation marks around "organic" because this is a loaded word. Organic simply means containing carbon. For instance, the study of chemistry where the compounds investigated contain carbon is called organic chemistry. The culturally accepted meaning of "organic" has to do with how a crop is grown. "Organic" commonly means a crop that is grown without the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides. However "organic" can kill you. How?
Investigators have narrowed down the E. coli contamination to three possible causes. The strain of E. coli bacteria found in the spinach comes from animal fecal matter. It could get onto the spinach from contaminated irrigation water, non-composted manure fertilizer or dirty hands. Raw sewage from human or animal waste is a good source of "organic" nitrogen fertilizer. But it also breeds the E. coli bacteria. A good farmer knows that you do not treat growing plants with raw sewage. However, a farmer in a pinch might spray raw sewage on his growing crops to increase his profit margin or just to survive in a highly competitive market where prices are falling but his costs are rising.
Under organic regulations, raw manure cannot be applied less than 90 days before the harvest of any food crop – or 120 days if the crop touches the soil. Compost made with manure must reach temperatures high enough to kill off pathogens. Once infected, simply washing it is not good enough to destroy the pathogens. The only sure way to destroy them is to cook the infected produce at sufficient temperatures. Unfortunately, people have gotten so lazy that they no longer cook or even wash the vegetables that they get in these convenient prepackaged plastic bags.
We use manures at Muhammad Farms, but we compost the manure first which kills the E. coli and other harmful bacteria. Then we do not spray or dump even this composted manure on growing crops. We spread it over our fields then cultivate it into the soil before we plant the crop. The plants then grow in a natural and healthy environment where they synthesize these elements to produce a strong healthy plant and tasty fruit.
Over the last few years a demand has grown for "organic" foods. The commercial agricultural industry has moved in to supply that demand motivated by the profit it brings. What makes you think that just because they call something "organic" that it will be good for you to eat? These commercial farmers know what to do. However, if they get in a pinch or fall behind in their scheduling, they may result to cutting corners to "make a crop".
As a consumer how can you be sure of the safety of the food that you buy? One sure way is to learn how to grow it and grow it yourself. Another way is to find someone that you know and trust to do the right thing by you. Here at Muhammad Farms we consider this farm "your" farm and not "our" farm. Our self-accusing spirit will not allow us to do things that we know may be harmful to you. On top of this we eat what we grow as well as distribute it to you. In fact, we eat a lot of what we can not distribute to our patrons because of superficial blemishes or size. The produce tastes good and is good for you, but may not look as pretty as you may be accustomed to. Most commercial farmers don’t have the time to bother with cooking and eating what they grow. They grow acres and acres of one crop and try to get as much money as possible so that they can go to the store just like you to get their groceries. What they can’t sell they may dump into their animal feedlots.
Although the E. coli bacteria live in cattle, they can spread through manure in rainwater run-off, in irrigation lines, in packaging plants or through infected workers. This valley in California is home to a large number of commercial feedlots where a tremendous amount of raw manure is produced which can be washed into streams and irrigation canals. Commercial interests have overloaded the natural environment to the point that millions of people can be affected by the mistakes of a few.
"The irony is that all the states where people got ill could be growing their own spinach this time of year," said James Riddle, a former adviser to the Agriculture Department on organic food regulations.
Now we hear that Wal-Mart is entering the "organic" market in a big way. "Organic" prices should surely drop and Wal-Mart will surely import lots of "organics" from China where spreading raw sewage is a farming tradition.
Now that the label "organic" may not be good enough to insure safety, it is time for us to consider the advice of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan to put a garden in every small piece of earth that you can find or even in pots inside of your home.
Muhammad Farms and the other small farmers we work with will be glad to supply you with fresh wholesome holistically grown produce to supplement your own production.
by Dr. Ridgely Abdul Mu’min Muhammad

Teaching A Seed To Grow

"It Is Easier to Build Strong Children Than To Repair Broken Men." Frederick Douglass

Atlanta, GA.  With more children growing up behind a screen and in a city,  one has to wonder what the future holds for agriculture. The UN World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, 6 out of 10 people will live in a city.  With so many people living in cities and becoming disconnected with nature, the challenge is presented to farmers; to keep the traditions, values, and heirloom genes alive.  In order to  preserve agricultural integrity within a growing global system,  children will need to be the focus of educational and engagement opportunities. Learning at a young age, the value of good food, can translate to an educated healthy adult, who cares enough to do something, even if it is to plant a few pots of tomatoes on a balcony of an apartment building. Its up to the emerging agricultural leaders, the farmers, the community to start teaching  the seeds of ourselves, our children how to grow food. 

Summer time offers a perfect opportunity for school-aged children to experience agriculture through education.  During this season, many vegetables are harvested, fertilized  and watered. And for those in optimal growing locations even some planting of seeds takes place.  Regardless of the location, summertime offers a plethora of opportunity for children to get engaged in the growing of food and the culture of agriculture.   Learning about healthy eating options, and nutrition is also a vital tool in the fight against childhood obesity.  This is all evident when you visit the Truly Living Well Center's Summer Camp, in the Collegetown area on the westside of   Atlanta.  TLW has a tremendous and well-attended summer camp for the youth in the neighborhood  and citywide.  TLW has a unique approach, where they facilitate youth in the discovery of purpose and meaning. Take the "pizza garden" for example. The pizza garden is comprised of 4 small raise beds, that grow the necessary ingredients to make a pizza. So in the beds, you find basil, oregano, peppers and tomatoes.

Pizza Garden @ TLW

Plants are grown in the shape of pizza

     The program provides  hands on learning,which is a very important part of keeping youth engaged. As a teacher, I see younger students forced to sit still and in a chair for almost 2/3 of the year. Students are awarded for their complacency and ability to remain in their chairs, with their mouths closed. No wonder, we have high rates of childhood obesity and declining test scores nationwide. Experiential learning, or learning by doing, is the best method for youth to be engaged in their education and spur passion and commitment. Otherwise, our youth learn through rote and dialectic methods, that leave the youth completely passive, disengaged and often bored.
The solution; to teach our seeds to grow. Every summer when the youth are off from school, encourage a lifetime of learning, by getting them involved with agriculture. If your community offers a summer camp like TLW, sign them up for it. If not, then think about creating a similar program in your area. If that is  not possible at this time, even starting a few seed packets in paper cups, can turn out to be an experience of a life  time for the youth. Seeds teach us responsibility, commitment, empathy, and joy. So, give your seeds      ( children) a huge advantage, teach your seeds to grow!
  

Rasheed Nuri With Children at the TRUELY LIVING WELL CENTER in Atlanta, GA

Visiting A X-Man

Visiting A X-Man

Tifton,GA ~ On a humid summer day, in Atlanta, I had the privilege of visiting a Superhero. During my visit, I  had the chance to build, experience Tifton GA, and confirm unity with my brother  Shakir X.  I have an X and Bashir (currently studying aqua-ponics, in Philadelphia) does too. I call us the X-Men of Agriculture. The future of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Shakir was practicing  his livestock production trade  at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, which is an agriculturally focused school, who is 1 of 15 in the Georgia University System. ABAC's  building structures are composed of  early American brick building's, with large white columns holding them up.  It's the first thing you notice when arriving on the desolate, vividly green campus.   The college  is found in southwest Georgia,  and is on  the outskirts of a busy rural town called Tifton.  When I visited, it  was July 3rd. I took the solo trip to visit around 10 am that morning, after reluctantly peeling myself off a down pillow, inside of the Park Inn, in Albany GA. But I had too,  it was a destined trip , that I had promised Shakir would happen last year at Muhammad Farms, during our apprenticeship with the Ministry of Agriculture. That's where I first met Shakir. It was the time when I first learned about his wisdom  and saw his Superhero strength.    

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, Georgia 

   Tifton is a small rural town that's made up of historical Agriculture centers , museums and parks. It's a unique town to spend the day in. Shakir greeted me with an asalaamu aleikum and a handshake. It was a warm and usual greeting in an unfamiliar setting. The campus is rectangular shape and crowded with mad types of different trees , shrubs and other ground vegetation.  Upon arrival I had to go to the bathroom , Shakir quickly showed me around the front of the  campus giving me  a voice guided tour, then rushed me to his dorm room to use the loo. Inside Shakir's 3 bedroom apartment style door room, lots of blank space fills the room. One couch with no table and an empty kitchen. It looked like a classic college dorm. Empty spaces, noodle soups and Dish soap for hand washing. It was a familiar scene , I was happy to experience again for the day. After our exchange of what's been going on, Shakir needed me to take him to get a tv, some food and clothes. In a town as bare as Shakir's dorm room , Tifton only offers  a Walmart to get basic goods and materials. Regrettably so, we headed to the Walmart and proceeded to shop. In the car, on the way over,  Shakir told me about the beef cattle job he had , managing a herd for the school . He was enthusiastic when he was telling me. I could tell cows were his passion, although he confirmed he wants to set up a dairy operation not beef. But was grateful for the opportunity to learn. Shakir, throughout the visit, shared different aspects of the industry that I know , he has taken to heart and won't forget, even though he had sold some of his books back to the school for a little bit of survival cash. A mistake many of us make , who go to college . We give back our references, our tools our books for temporary financial  assistance. A move that I regret doing myself. But for Shakir,  he had to do what he had to do. And regardless, his knowledge was so on point , it was like the brother had remembered the textbooks word for word. Basically he knew what he knew, he knew  what  will be useful in his upcoming tenure on the  dairy cattle  post.
When we arrived at Walmart, I had to distance myself a little, I found myself  giving to much advice on what to eat and what to buy. I could tell I was going overboard when Shakir made a break  away for the meat section. So I decided to check out the seed selection. Unfortunately, to my surprise, they didn't have one . Not one seed at a store in an Agriculture Town . About a mile from  to the school. We met back up, checked out and continued our day. I took the brother to Publix, to get some food. I was able to teach Shakir about the differences in cost per Oz and the actual cost. He leaned to read into the price per ounce to see if the total  lower cost was a deal or a rip off. I was just overjoyed to have found something to teach . We checked out quickly . I knew how to make a meal with just organic chicken , brown rice cabbage and carrots. I showed my brother. He was reluctant to try cooking at first ,but soon realized , I had cooking skills, skills he too would need.  We ate the meal, then Shakir put out a beanpie slice. It was gone in seconds. Then we played few games while we discussed our futures. We both realized the need for unity , the need to use each ones power, to make a great team. We would have to be a group of Superheros that would take on the evil enemy of poverty his side kick hunger. After the last bite, we agreed to exchange any papers we write. It will keep us on the same brain length . Synergy with longevity is unity. Unity is what it will take. Every X man needs a team. We got ours