Supporting Agrihood models for Resiliency
What are Agrihoods?
are a harmonious blend of agriculture, natural building and community living, present an innovative approach to fostering resilience in the face of growing environmental, economic, and social challenges. By integrating sustainable farming practices with housing and community spaces, agrihoods not only provide fresh, locally-grown food and building materials but also create thriving, self-sufficient communities rooted in environmental stewardship and social equity.
Why Agrihoods Matter for Resiliency
- Food Security and Accessibility Agrihoods prioritize local food production, reducing reliance on external supply chains that are often vulnerable to disruptions. With fresh produce grown within walking distance, residents gain consistent access to healthy, nutritious food while minimizing food deserts in underserved areas.
- Natural Building Materials: What if most of the materials you need to make things like homes can come right from your farms? They can!
- Environmental Sustainability Through regenerative agriculture practices, agrihoods restore soil health, conserve water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These communities emphasize renewable energy and low-impact design, creating a blueprint for sustainable living that mitigates climate change impacts.
- Economic Development Agrihoods create jobs in farming, processing, and community management, offering pathways for local economic growth. For BIPOC and marginalized populations, agrihoods provide opportunities for ownership and entrepreneurship in agriculture and allied industries.
- Community Building The shared purpose of managing agricultural spaces fosters social cohesion and collaboration. Community gardens, farm-to-table events, and educational workshops strengthen connections among residents, promoting collective action and a sense of belonging.
- Disaster Preparedness Resilient agrihoods act as a buffer during emergencies. Local food systems and renewable energy sources ensure communities are better equipped to withstand natural disasters, economic downturns, and other crises.
A Vision for Inclusive Agrihoods
Agrihoods have the potential to redefine equitable development by prioritizing access for historically disadvantaged communities. By incorporating affordable housing, training programs in sustainable agriculture, and cooperative ownership models, agrihoods can empower BIPOC communities with tools for long-term self-sufficiency and resilience.
How You Can Support Agrihood Development
- Advocate for policies and funding that support sustainable urban and rural development.
- Partner with organizations like the Minority Hemp Builders Association to bring agrihood projects to fruition.
- Invest in agrihood initiatives to create scalable models of resilience and inclusivity.
- Educate others about the benefits of agrihoods and their role in fostering environmental justice.
By supporting agrihoods, we can build communities that not only withstand challenges but also thrive through collective action, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment. Together, we can create a future where resilience is not just an aspiration, but a reality for all.
Land Stewardship, Regenerative Agriculture, Food Security and Conservation Services
At the Minority Hemp Builders Association (MHBA), we are dedicated to advancing the principles of land stewardship, regenerative agriculture, food security and conservation.
Our mission is to support and advocate for hemp building professionals, environmentalists, farmers, and advocates of clean materials. We work inclusively with both traditional methods and cutting-edge innovations to foster a sustainable future.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is at the heart of our mission. This approach goes beyond sustainable farming by actively restoring and revitalizing ecosystems. Our programs focus on:
- Soil Health: Enhancing soil fertility and structure through organic practices.
- Water Management: Implementing techniques to improve water retention and reduce erosion.
- Biodiversity: Encouraging diverse plant and animal species to create resilient ecosystems.
- Carbon Sequestration: Promoting practices that capture and store carbon in the soil.
Conservation Services
Our conservation services aim to protect natural habitats and promote the responsible use of resources. We offer:
- Phytoremediation: we use cost-effective environmental restoration technique that uses plants to clean up contaminated soil, water, and air
- Habitat Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded landscapes to support wildlife and plant diversity.
- Sustainable Agriculture & Forestry: Promoting responsible forestry practices that balance ecological and economic needs.
- Clean Energy Solutions: Advocating for the use of renewable energy sources in agriculture and construction.
Is conservation and food security linked?
YES; historically, conservation and food security have been separate disciplines with different goals, priorities, and definitions. However, there is an increasing awareness that the two are inextricably linked.
- Biodiversity: Conserving biodiversity, such as the wild ancestors of domesticated crops, is important for food security. Biodiversity helps crops adapt to climate change and other environmental threats.
- Land use: Expanding agricultural land can threaten biodiversity, especially in areas with high conservation value.
- Sustainable food systems: Finding sustainable food systems that meet the needs of a growing population without harming the environment is important.
- Integrated land management: A more integrated approach to land management can help reconcile conservation and food security.
- Biocultural approaches:Combining inter- and transdisciplinary sciences can help ensure food security and conserve biodiversity.