Deberne Kelly’s 2024 Spring Garden
Rural America is vibrant and thriving with gardeners in 2024, contrary to the most recent census report. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2022 census reports indicated a negative shift in the farming population. The 2022 census profoundly highlighted the loss of African American farmers in the past five years. Mississippi had an eye-popping loss of more than 1,100 Black farmers.
The Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) is working diligently to encourage families to reconnect with our natural resources. WCSHC distributed vegetable plants on May 1, 2024, to co-op members and local individuals interested in gardening or farming. Deberne Kelly, a founding member of WCSHC, received the plants and is on pace to develop a fruitful 2024 garden. Deberne’s garden consists of peppers, tomatoes, and other southern staples. We will provide updates on the Deberne 2024 garden.
