The Black Yield Institute (BYI) is a “food sovereignty” group funded by the Maryland Philanthropy Network (MPN) that operates over 100 urban farms (over 24 acres of land) in order to provide more access to food for African American communities within the Baltimore region as well as advocate on having greater access for produce to communities within the region. 1 BIY also advocates for creating, “a self-determined and self-reliant community of Black institutions, Black-owned businesses and people of African Descent in Baltimore’s poor and Black food environments.” 2
History
The Black Yield Institute was founded in 2015 as a fiscal project of the Maryland Philanthropy Network (MPN). The group was originally founded to create a series of urban gardens to aid in the production of affordable and “culturally appropriate” produce for African American communities within the Baltimore region. In 2021, the group was evicted from one of its lots due to claims by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City that the group was occupying the space illegally. In 2022, the group received a $1 million grant from Baltimore’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act, which led to BYI buying more property for its urban farms, more access towards crops for growing produce, and hiring more staff. 1 3 4
Eviction Incident
In May 2021, the Black Yield Institute (BIY) received an eviction notice from the Housing Authority of Baltimore City regarding its urban farm located in the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore. The Authority claimed BIY was on the property illegally, as its lease had been expired at the time of the notice. After legal settlements and a $1 million grant from the Baltimore Mayor’s office towards purchasing more land, the group left the property and reset their urban garden in the Mt. Clare neighborhood with a two-year lease. 5 1
Programs
People’s Urban Agriculture Program
The People’s Urban Agriculture Program is Black Yield Institute’s volunteer farming program. Volunteers and staff from BYI prepare ground while planting, maintaining, and growing crops and produce from the group’s urban farms. 6
Sankara-Hamer Academy
The Sankara-Hamer Academy is a 15-week educational program which provides volunteers with networking opportunities within the Baltimore area. The program also advocates volunteers to participate in similar seminars and workshops. 6 7
Food and Land Sovereignty Network
The Food and Land Sovereignty Network is a network of African American-owned businesses and groups in the Baltimore area organized to promote advocacy towards “Black liberation and sovereignty of all resources.” 6 8
References
- Saed, Omnia. “Black Yield Institute, and Other Grassroots Orgs, Help Bring Food Justice to Baltimore.” Baltimore Magazine, November 2022. https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/black-yield-institute-grassroots-farming-organizations-food-justice-baltimore-city/.
- “Black Yield Institute.” CLLCTIVLY. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/listing/black-yield-institute/.
- “About.” Black Yield Institute. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://blackyieldinstitute.org/about/.
- “People’s Production and Distribution.” Black Yield Institute. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://blackyieldinstitute.org/peoples-urban-agriculture-chucg/.
- Worthy, Patrice. “Black-Led Urban Farms Are Thriving – Until They Have to Fight for Their Land.” The Guardian, March 5, 2022. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/05/black-led-urban-farms-are-thriving-until-they-have-to-fight-for-their-land.
- Lucas, Cori. “Creating Food Economies for the Liberation of Black Baltimore and Beyond.” CLLCTIVLY. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://cllctivly.org/creating-food-economies-for-the-liberation-of-black-baltimore-and-beyond/.
- “Sankara-Hamer Academy.” Black Yield Institute. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://blackyieldinstitute.org/sankara-hamer-academy/.
- “Black Land and Food Sovereignty Network.” Black Yield Institute. Accessed September 30, 2024. https://blackyieldinstitute.org/programs/black-land-and-food-sovereignty-network/.