By Alex Burke
The University of Maryland hosted a “Reclaiming Roots” panel last Thursday, spotlighting the experiences of Black, Indigenous and other farmers of color in Maryland.
This panel, held in the Edward St. John Learning and Teaching Center, was co-sponsored by the Institute of Applied Agriculture and the College Park Scholars programs: Environment, Technology and Economy; Justice and Legal Thought; and Science, Technology and Society.
The event provided a platform for three local farmers and a member of the Piscataway Conoy tribe to share their personal stories and insights into the challenges and triumphs they face in the agricultural world. Their collective experiences painted a picture of resilience and struggle, highlighting the importance of land ownership, sustainable farming and community support.
Mario Harley, from the Wild Turkey Clan, shared his deep connection to Piscataway lands and his involvement in the university’s efforts to include Indigenous voices in campus projects. He discussed his role in naming the Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, a project that allowed the Piscataway Conoy tribe to contribute to the university’s cultural landscape.
“It means ‘a place to eat.’ Something very basic, something very simple, nothing political, nothing controversial,” Harley said. “To see our language on a map again … is increasing opportunities for it to be said by many different voices was so important to our community.”
While Harvey’s remarks focused on the importance of cultural recognition and the reclamation of Indigenous land, farmer Gale Livingstone from Deep Root Farms in Upper Marlboro, Md., offered a different perspective. She spoke about the struggle for land ownership and the commitment to a community that sustains farmers through difficult times.
Livingstone described the challenges of acquiring land in the U.S. and reflected on the patience, perseverance and risks involved with farming.
“Farming is a very risky business… it’s a scary position to be in, and so my motivation has always been wanting to be there for my community. I believe that’s what’s helped to bolster my drive and my stamina to continue on the journey of doing this work,” Livingstone said.
As the discussion moved forward, the conversation expanded to include the importance of community-building and mutual support in agricultural practices.
The panelists stressed the importance of learning self-sufficiency and earth-based skills, which are essential for sustainable farming and community resilience. Sebi Medina-Tayac from Red Cedar Farms shared how Indigenous communities have always prioritized their members’ collective strength in cultivating a sense of responsibility and care for each other.
“It was always about community. People coming together and contributing what they knew in order to sustain a family or a community group. I think that’s definitely something that Indigenous communities have,” Tayac said. “It’s finding the community, keeping it strong, not getting derailed or distracted, and taking care of each other because all of us have a different part to play.”
This emphasis on community values and mutual care resonated deeply with the audience of College Park Scholars students, offering practical advice for them to take action in their own lives.
“Everyone spoke with such passion, and it really inspired me,” said Emily McEntire, a freshman public health science major. “I also thought it was cool how they shared little changes you could make in the way you think, and what you learn that will help you be more self-sufficient while still being part of a community.”
This panel provided not only an opportunity to reflect on the struggles for land tenure but also served as an invitation to rethink how self-sufficiency, sustainability and community can work together to create stronger, more resilient futures.
Featured Image: Mario Harley (left) and Tiara “Farmer T” Matthews (right) present their personal stories about working in the field of agriculture during the University of Maryland’s ‘Reclaiming Roots’ panel last Thursday. Photo by Alex Burke.