RamsRead 2021
Resources for exploring topics in the 2021 RamsRead book, The Color of Food by Natasha Bowens.
The Color of Food
- The Color of Food by Natasha BowensThe growing trend of organic farming and homesteading is changing the way the farmer is portrayed in mainstream media, and yet, farmers of color are still largely left out of the picture. The Color of Food seeks to rectify this. By recognizing the critical issues that lie at the intersection of race and food, this stunning collection of portraits and stories challenges the status quo of agrarian identity. Author, photographer, and biracial farmer Natasha Bowens' quest to explore her own roots in the soil leads her to unearth a larger story, weaving together the seemingly forgotten history of agriculture for people of color, the issues they face today, and the culture and resilience they bring to food and farming. The Color of Food teaches us that the food and farm movement is about more than buying local and protecting our soil. It is about preserving culture and community, digging deeply into the places we've overlooked, and honoring those who have come before us. Blending storytelling, photography, oral history, and unique insight, these pages remind us that true food sovereignty means a place at the table for everyone.
- The Color of Food by Natasha BowensCall Number: HD8039.F32 U63 2020Print copies are also available in the library.
Talks by Natasha Bowens
- The Color of Food: Reflecting on Our Food MovementNatasha Bowens, author of “The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience and Farming,” discusses agricultural identity in farmers of color. Bowens focuses on justice and inclusivity within the food movement and reflects on her journey from food insecurity to growing food.
- 2015 Virginia Biological Farming Conference PresentationPresented at VABF 2015 Natash Bowens introduces the Color of Food a photo essay project
- Natasha Bowens presents the Color of FoodAt Red Emma's Bookstore, 8/20, co-sponsored by BASE Baltimore
- Growing and Tasting ElderberriesThe Local Buy host Al Spoler travels to Native Mountain Farm in Boonsboro, where farmer Natash Bowens Blair grows a unique variety of flowers, herbs, and fruit. One of the most interesting things she grows is the tiny elderberry, which packs a healthy punch of antioxidants. Natasha shares her experience as a farmer of color, and explains why it's so important to her that her daughters are involved with the farm. Then, Al learns about the health effects of the berry, and shares Natasha's recipe for an elderberry tonic.
Natasha Bowens' Website
- NATIVE MOUNTAIN FARMWe are a bi-racial family farm, proud to be stewarding land and working to support our community with the joy of flowers and the healing power of plants. We grow gorgeous cut flowers, healing medicinal herbs and a variety of berries on our land, where we grow with sustainable growing practices. We believe people deserve farm fresh products that are free of chemicals and dyes and are grown in season and not imported. We’re dedicated to providing that to our community, while also enriching our environment with native plants and healthy pollination. Our farm is a labor of love that we hope to share with you.