John Littles is the Executive Director for Mcintosh Sustainable Environment Economic Development. He provides technical assistance to grassroots organizations and asset-based economic development, food systems, education systems, land preservation and retention, and so much more! In his role, John has generated over $8 million dollars in funding for the organization and works as an outreach provider for the United States Department of Agriculture for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. On the show, John shares his expertise and experience working with landowners in rural communities!
Key Takeaways:
[1:35] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:20] A quick intro about John’s background.
[4:15] How did John get started in this field?
[9:50] John relies heavily on volunteers and partnerships to help keep these community projects going.
[10:35] What lessons has John learned about leading volunteers?
[12:15] How did John first find out about the SFLR program and how has it helped the community so far?
[14:45] By introducing diversity into the forestry industry, it has helped make an impact in the communities John and his team serve in.
[15:25] John shares an example of how he helps landowners with their property.
[17:30] How has John been able to build trust in the community?
[19:20] The landowner always comes first!
[19:45] What kind of partnerships has John been able to develop, so far?
[20:40] John is in the third year of phase one for the SFLR program. What will phase two look like?
[21:40] How have John and his team made the transition from serving people on a local front to a national front?
[24:25] John shares a story about a young landowner he was able to help.
[27:25] Trust takes time to build but once it’s built, you can really move mountains with it.
[31:10] Can John help people clean up their title and getting ahold of the property’s farm number?
[33:20] Why is this work so important to John?
[34:40] What kind of advice does John have for landowners?
[36:45] John shares his final thoughts about the importance of educating rural African American communities.
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
Yvonne Knight-Carter and Eleanor Cooper-Brown are both sisters and the owners of Broadaxe Branch Partners. Their property goes back almost 150 years and they are proud to be connected to the land once again. Both successful in their respective careers, Yvonne and Eleanor are taking on the task to make their land sustainable and to help educate the community about the free land management resources that are available to them. Do not be afraid to go into the USDA’s office to ask for what you need!
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:20] A quick intro about Yvonne’s and Eleanor’s background.
[6:00] Yvonne shares her journey and how she found her family land.
[13:45] Vconne and Eleanor’s family farm was visited by the Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.
[17:15] Eleanor shares her journey and how she found her family land.
[24:05] Yvonne shares a bit more of the history of the land.
[35:35] The sisters have such an emotional tie to the land.
[37:00] When did Yvonne and Eleanor get their first forest management plan?
[38:25] Did the sisters have any challenges with transferring the title into their names?
[41:00] The Center of Heirs Property has free will-creation services for community members.
[45:00] What advice do Yvonne and Eleanor have for other landowners?
[55:50] How has their purpose in life changed since taking on this property?
[1:00:00] Eleanor is very proud to call this property home and wants to pass it down for their children.
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
Lillian “Ebonie” Alexander is the Executive Director of the Black Family Land Trust, one of the United States’ only conservation land trusts dedicated to the conversation, preservation, and protection of African American and other historically underserved landowner assets. Ebonie and her team host regular workshops in the community to educate and share the importance of keeping land within the family. Find out more about Ebonie’s important work on this week’s show!
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:20] A quick intro about Ebonie’s background.
[3:35] How did the Black Family Land Trust first get started?
[5:35] What did Ebonie do before joining BFLT?
[9:55] What does the BFLT do and how do they help African American landowners?
[14:50] What is the definition of a land trust?
[16:15] Ebonie explains who typically needs and uses their services.
[19:50] What is “heirs’ property”?
[21:50] Why does Ebonie recommend against doing land petitions?
[25:45] Many next-generation landowners don’t want to own farmland due to its slavery ties.
[30:40] How does Ebonie educate the community on the benefits of owning land?
[33:10] Ebonie explains the important partnerships she has built over the years.
[39:15] Ebonie shares a client success story!
[46:45] Ebonie shares some final thoughts about the importance of keeping the land within the family.
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
Evette Browning is the Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Agriculture in Arkansas. She provides educational resources for African American landowners to help them get the support they need to take over their land and turn it into an asset, not a liability. On the show, Evette shares the types of barriers landowners have historically faced and how people in the community can help people just like her to get the word out.
Key Takeaways:
[1:40] A message from Leadership Nature.
[2:25] A quick intro about Evette’s background.
[3:40] How does Evette support the SFLR program?
[6:40] What are some of the things Evette can help landowners with?
[8:35] Evette shares some success stories about some people she’s worked with.
[11:15] What kinds of barriers have landowners faced?
[17:25] In the past, African American landowners would use their word as their formal document and would not use wills or estate plans.
[21;05] What advice does Evette have for landowners?
[23:30] How do landowners find Evette services?
[27:05] Where can people go to find SFLR resources?
[28:55] How can natural resource professionals help landowners?
[37:15] How can people help Evette make her job more effective?
[41:10] Landowners, take advantage of this opportunity while it’s still available!
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