The Center for Equality and Social Justice (CESJ) at the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences is launching a yearlong series of programs designed to foster conversations about race, justice and our food system.

Just Food, which is being funded through a UK Sustainability Challenge Grant, is designed to engage multidisciplinary teams from the university community in the creation and implementation of ideas that will promote sustainability by simultaneously advancing economic vitality, ecological integrity and social equity.

“There’s an incredible amount of diversity in Kentucky’s local food system. Our hope is that through these events, we can help expose more people to this diversity while elevating voices from farmers, gardeners and activists that are often less well represented in discussions of agriculture in the Commonwealth," Chhaya Kolavalli, assistant director of CESJ and member of Just Food, said.   

On Sept. 13, students, faculty, staff and the Lexington community joined the Just Food conversation by taking a tour of three African American owned farms in Kentucky. Farmers at each site shared their family histories, discussed their diverse practices and served homegrown snacks. The tour concluded with a farm-to-table dinner at Ballew Farms. Chef Angelia Drake, From the Heart catering, prepared a meal featuring products from each of the three farms listed below.

Ballew Estates

Ballew Estates is a pollinators conservation that sits on 40 acres in Waco, Kentucky. Intergenerational farmers will welcome guests by detailing their robust family history. They will also provide an overview of the importance of pollinators to survival. Kentucky Proud/Appalachian Proud products include herbal teas grown from herbs.

Motts Homestead LLC

Motts Homestead is a produce and livestock farm located three miles outside of Richmond, Kentucky. The owners maintain their diverse farm on less and one acre. Kentucky Proud/Appalachian Proud products include fresh eggs, tomatoes, peppers, specialty lettuce, leafy greens and jellies.

S'Hemply Made

These farmers operate a hemp-based company promoting a natural lifestyle. Their products are handcrafted from the finest organic ingredients. They source their hemp oil from Madison County and Clark County.