Fahamisha Amkajinaki grew up in New Jersey but has returned back to her grandfather’s land in North Carolina to better understand and honor the tough efforts he went through to keep it. Fahamisha has leveraged resources in her community like the SFLR program to better understand the land and use it to its full potential. Find out what legacy Fahamisha wishes to build on the family land on this week’s episode.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:25] A quick intro about Fahamisha’s background.
[3:55] How did Fahamisha get reconnected to her grandfather’s land?
[7:35] What was the transition first like from going to a cement jungle to an actual jungle?
[11:35] Fahamisha didn’t realize how divorced she was from mother nature until she came to the family farm.
[13:05] Fahamisha shares a bit of the land’s history.
[16:15] What are Fahamisha’s goals for the property?
[24:35] Fahamisha wonders why schools in her rural community are not teaching children about nature-related topics like forestry and the environment that they’re constantly exposed to.
[28:45] How did Fahamisha first discover/get started in the SFLR program?
[39:35] Fahamisha completely understands why so many African Americans landowners are cautious to work with outsiders.
[44:00] How does Fahamisha educate her siblings and family members about the land?
[55:30] Fahamisha is so happy she came back to the land and was able to use the free resources and wisdom from experts in her community.
[57:15] What advice does Fahamisha have for other landowners?
[1:00:55] Don’t understand something at a workshop? Go again. There’s no shame in taking it all in once, twice, three times, or more.
[1:04:15] Your ancestors went through A LOT to keep that land, so honor them by understanding why and getting back in touch with it.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov
Ann English is a State Conservationist for the NRCS in South Carolina. She first began her career as an agronomist and soil conservationist. With over 26 years of experience as a conservationist, she is proud to work on the SFLR program and to help landowners navigate this sometimes confusing and very new industry. On the show, Ann shares the important work NRCS is doing to help guide landowners down the right path so that their land never becomes a burden to them.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:25] A quick intro about Ann’s background.
[4:00] How did Ann first get started in agronomy?
[8:10] Ann shares how she first got introduced to SFLR.
[14:00] What other services does the NRCS provide to landowners?
[21:55] Ann shares a story of how the NRCS was able to help a landowner who recently inherited some heirs property.
[22:55] What stops a landowner from reaching out for help?
[27:35] The fourth generation doesn’t have the same connection to the land as we do because they didn’t grow up near the land. They do not have the same fond memories as we do.
[29:25] The land should never be a burden to you.
[30:00] What is Ann most proud of about the SFLR program?
[32:15] Ann shares her top three pieces of advice for landowners!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov
Marshall Cherry is the Chief Operating Officer at Roanoke Electric Cooperative, a utility company located in northeastern North Carolina that helped launch the SFLR program and still remains as an active partner and leader of the initiative. Marshall shares his story as well as the company’s story of how they got involved in the program, the landowners they’ve worked with, and how he was able to build trust in the community.
Key Takeaways:
[1:45] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:25] A quick intro about Marshall’s background.
[3:50] How did Marshall first get started in his career field?
[8:00] Why did the Roanoke Electric Cooperative pick and focus on the SFLR initiative?
[13:00] How does Marshall work and help landowners?
[19:45] Marshall has worked hard to build trust with a network of landowners.
[24:35] There was a learning curve for Marshall in the beginning because he didn’t quite understand all the industry jargon.
[29:15] Marshall shares some of his favorite stories about the people he’s worked with.
[34:25] What advice does Marshall have for landowners?
[37:10] What do natural resources professionals need to know to better assist and help landowners?
[37:45] The world is much bigger than us, but we have a lot going on in our industry and good partners help you stand up taller.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov
Darryl Shelton is a trustee with a family farm that’s owned by himself and three other forest landowners in Macon County, Alabama. He has a background as a design engineer, but he’s determined to turn his father’s property into a family legacy. He’s a self-educated forest land manager, but his journey to get there wasn’t always easy. Find out more on this week’s show.
Key Takeaways:
[1:00] A message from Leadership Nature.
[1:40] A quick intro about Darryl’s background.
[3:10] How did Darryl first get introduced to his forest land?
[4:40] Darryl explains a bit about his family history.
[13:50] How did Darryl find the resources he needed to maintain his forest land?
[23:15] Darryl credits Alex Harvey for helping him through the process!
[29:30] What were the steps Darryl took to start putting the forest land to work?
[37:15] What has been the most rewarding part about taking on these new responsibilities?
[46:10] What’s next for Darryl?
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov
Alex’s website: Legacylandmanagement.org
Chris Brown is the Community Relations Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region at Enviva Biomass. Enviva produces over three million metric tons of wood pellets annually and they export these pellets primarily to power plants in the UK and Europe, which were previously fueled by coal. Prior to this, Chris was the Senior Director of Communications for the North Carolina Forestry Association. Find out more about the work he and Enviva are doing with SFLR!
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:20] A quick intro about Chris’s background.
[3:50] How did Chris get involved with the SFLR program?
[8:50] What has been the biggest barriers for heirs and landowners?
[14:15] Enviva directly supports SFLR through sponsorship and they’ve been doing that for the last two years.
[16:15] Chris shares a little bit of background about Enviva and where they operate.
[22:45] What advice does Chris have for professional foresters and other natural resource professionals about SFLR?
[27:45] If you’re going to sell timber, talk to your county ranger or a forestry consultant.
[33:35] Chris explains what ‘certified wood’ means.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Website for the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities: Usendowment.org
More information on the SFLR Program: Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR)
More information on USDA NRCS: Nrcs.usda.gov