by: Pamela OBryant
The Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) attended the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network (SFLR) Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, to gain knowledge and empowerment on land ownership and land retention.
The mission of SFLR is to strengthen African American landownership by providing landowners with the tools, resources, and support needed to retain and sustainably manage their land for future generations.
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Mrs. Bethany Wilkinson, Executive Director of the SFLR Network. Mrs. Wilkinson spoke about the reciprocal relationship between people and the land, stating, “When we care for the land, it will care for us.”
Another featured speaker was Mirna Valerio, an ultramarathoner, author, mother, opera singer, and body-positivity advocate. Known for challenging athletic stereotypes, Valerio has completed numerous extreme endurance events despite others doubting her abilities. She also shared information about one of the conference sponsors, L.L.Bean.
Throughout the conference, attendees participated in plenary and breakout sessions covering important topics such as: Living and Leaving a Legacy, Tracing Your Roots, Claiming Your Ground, and Connecting Genealogy Research and Property Ownership.
Each session provided opportunities for questions and discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with presenters and experts.
One of the highlights of the conference was the second plenary session featuring WCSHC’s own Dr. T’arie Todman. Her presentation, “Healing Your Body with Nature’s Resources,” focused on traditional remedies passed down through generations.
Dr. Todman shared an ancestral remedy for relieving cold symptoms by demonstrating how to make Pine Needle Tea. Prior to the conference, Dr. Todman and her team prepared the tea at the WCSHC campus. During her presentation, WCSHC staff distributed tea samples to conference attendees while Dr. Todman explained its preparation and potential benefits.
The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. The following day, Mr. Charlie Williams of Arkansas shared that he had experienced a scratchy throat and decided to try the Pine Needle Tea. He reported taking a few drops and experiencing relief from his symptoms. Mr. Williams also expressed how much he enjoyed Dr. Todman’s presentation.
The conference also recognized outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to land stewardship and community development. WCSHC’s very own Ms. Emma Goss was honored with a Landowner’s Award in recognition of her commitment and dedication.
The SFLR Roots to Resilience Conference was an inspiring and empowering experience. Attendees left with valuable knowledge, resources, and connections that will help preserve landownership and strengthen communities for generations to come.
