Catchin’up with fortee acres
Black agriculture plays a crucial role in the fabric of American society. Currently, Black-owned farms account for less than 2 percent of all farms in the United States, a significant drop from 14 percent in 1920. It’s essential to celebrate the Black farmers who remain and emphasize the significance of agriculture in their communities.
Located in Enfield, N.C, Fourtee Acres, a 45-acre family farm founded in 1994, focuses on sustainable practices, forestry, farming, natural gardening, and property rentals. As a part of the larger 195-acre Williams Family Farm, which has its roots dating back to 1916. The legacy of this family business began in 1910 when Tussie and Roxana Williams, the grandparents of the current owners, tied the knot.Today, Fourtee Acres is run by Tyrone and Edna Williams, who represent the third generation of the family, alongside their three sons: Trevelyn, Tremaine, and Tyron.
To begin with, how are operations progressing on the farm?
Thanks so much for asking and as you know there is no typical day on the farm! By the Grace of
God and by standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, Fourtee Acres is well. As with all things
and especially in the agricultural game we are constantly faced with environmental
challenges, financial tests and other obstacles. We continue to move forward and focus on being
good stewards of the land that we have been entrusted with. The next generation (our sons)
continue to “get in where they fit in” as Edna always says. They each have their own perspective
and vision for the land. As we have said before, the picture that we see for the land is not the
picture that our sons may see, so what we have to do is make sure we put the 4 Tees of
Sustainability in place so that when it is their turn, the land will still be there. We must ensure that we
1) Have TALKS to make sure we are communicating our love of the land and listening to
their vision for the land going forward 2). That we spend TIME nurturing them and the land,
caring for it, praying for it and preparing it for sustainability, which will lead to TRUST between
members of our family that will ultimately lead to TREASURE, which is sustainability and the
creation of generational wealth for our family.
Are there any ongoing projects that you and your team are currently engaged in?
Several, and we are trying to stay grounded in the difference between growth and expansion. All
growth is not expansion, but all expansion is growth. Since we are small, we want to refine our
processes, get it right and that is expansion. We do not want to over promise and under deliver.
In addition to the woodland stands, we have just completed a hedgerow project with NRCS that
focuses on windbreaks and wildlife/pollinator habitat improvement. We are also in line for a
second high tunnel as well as turning our attention to some foraging of wild plants (goldenrod,
sumac, etc.) that we are drying and using as our ancestors did.
As always, we are planting and planning for our fall natural vegetable brassicas (bok choy, kale, arugula mizuna,etc) as well as conducting late summer cleanup in the existing high tunnel and around the farm. We continue to participate in CSA box programs, individual pop-up vegetable sales on the farm, as well as our on-going agritourism and educational programs for youth groups and other groups.
You recently traveled to Philadelphia for a screening of your family tree documentary; could you share How did that opportunity arise?
Festival! We were greatly humbled by this award and the opportunity to be a part of something that establishes archival memory for our family for generations, but hopefully will inspire other African American families to continue or begin the journey to land retention or ownership. I believe the award is a testament to the genius of Ms. MacArthur and her awesome team as they brought the two families' stories to life while weaving the beauty of North Carolina’s four seasons into the film as well as showcasing African American forestry professionals. As our family traveled to Philadelphia for the screening of the film at the “BlackStar Film Festival”, the film and our family was well received by the folks of Philly and we quickly understood why it it called the city of” Brotherly Love” We were embraced by the audience and there was an excellent and engaging Q & A after the screening.