Our organization’s mission is to work diligently to empower low-income communities with increasing their access to ownership of their food systems. We seek to do this through educating and facilitating workshops along with hands on experiences and various collaborations for community participants.

Executive Summary

The North Tulsa Farmers Market project addresses the needs of low income households and develops solutions to the immediate threat of nutritional health and food insecurity as well as economic and other related skills training.

Background of Newsome Community Farms

My husband Rufus and I have a 5 acre farm located in the upper North side of Tulsa where we raise vegetables and have many different kinds of farm animals. The North Tulsa Farmers Market is the first and only farmers market located in a low income community in the state of Oklahoma as well as it is the only farmers, market on an actual farm in the state. By having the market on the farm we feel that it gives community members a true sense of where their food comes from. Our intent is to develop the five community gardens (the biggest one located Alcott School) that we have, and to utilize other community gardens around Tulsa to participate as vendors at the market. We have demonstration raised beds at the market site so the experience is also hands on venture for those that choose to submerge themselves in the farm experience. We offer materials at the market on growing and cooking with fresh produce by doing demonstration onsite. It is our goal to provide community members and area farmers a place to sell and purchase fresh nutritious produce. We are also looking into the development of a certified kitchen. The kitchen will aid to extending the season by the processing and teaching of food preservation as well as creating a value added product from the produce. We will be working with Robert Gregory of Land Legacy in turning the land and non-profit into a land trust that will be preserved for ever. Rufus and I have had extensive training through Community Food Security Coalition, SSAWG (Sustainable Agriculture Working Group) along with Growing Power. These three nationally renowned organizations are anti hunger organization that primarily addresses the needs of food insecurity in communities of color.

Farmers Market Specific Needs

• Community education is crucial in teaching to the community, just what a farmers market is, and the benefits that it provides to the community. Being able to host small conversation café’s will instrumental. (laptop and projector will aid in this area)
• To promote the market to the community as we build community gardens. This gives an opportunity for community involvement.
• To formula an intense strategy for the marketing and advertising the market.
• Board Training will help with the organizational structuring.
• To develop season extension alternatives

Past and Current Funders

Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry, SSAWG (Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group), Community Food Security Coalition, Joe Shulte ( Southwoods Nursery),George Kaiser Family Foundation, City of Tulsa Vision 2025, The United States Department of Agriculture