Meet Myles Gaines, JJ farm manager!
Myles Gaines, a dynamic and joyful, 28-year-old native of Tallahassee, Florida, who sees himself as a concerned citizen of nature, became manager of our organic farm in April 2023. He shares a few thoughts about farming and what inspired him to work the land.
What sparked your interest in farming?
It was a mix of me being a concerned citizen hearing the call of Mother Earth and being affected by the food system on a very personal level. During college, my grandad passed away from diabetes and some family members had also contracted the disease. I remember also at the same time that I was studying food policy. I felt a sense of powerlessness about how the food system was affecting my family. With all those things happening at the same time, I felt I needed to understand more. Agriculture was the obvious path for me to explore.
What is your opinion about the state of Black farming?
What I see on the ground is resilience, but I’m also taking a step back and seeing what is happening at a systemic level which is worrying. Joining Jubilee Justice has been like gradually getting familiar with the ecosystem, meeting other Black growers and while that is happening I’m reading headlines on black land loss. I’m learning about famous cases like Pickford vs Glickman which was at the time the largest lawsuit for wrongdoing filed against the government by black farmers and how older farmers and Black farmers are somewhat of a dying breed in terms of numbers and whose remaining year after year. But there are so many other inspiring examples of black farmers throughout the South, which is where we work who are doing some amazing things, like Roy Mosely(sp) out in Georgia who has experienced adversity as a farmer, and has a story of overcoming and persevering in some admirable ways.
While I’m concerned about Black lands lost and the next generation of Black farmers stepping up and entering this work, it is something that is not just toil. This work is a place of joy, of learning, and community.
Black growers that I know are most likely doing this work because of a deep social commitment, and the communities they are more likely to serve are Black communities.
I worry about the ripple effect that can happen if we don’t have enough Black growers who care about Black consumers. But I am happy about collectives of Black and BIPOC farmers who are coming together to grow together, like the Earthseed Land Collective and the Southeast African American Farmers’ Organic Network who put energy into bringing together young Black farmers. I see myself being a part of that effort.
What was your favor comfort food growing up and who prepared it?
My dad’s breakfast casserole which had ample amounts of Jimmy Dean sausage and cheese and croissants. It is pure nostalgia and nothing that would necessarily eat today, but it reminds me of a special place and time. Another one is my grandmother’s lima beans with salt and ham hocks.