Urban Triage, a Black-led nonprofit based in Madison, is marking Black Business Month in August after training nearly 100 people and launching several businesses through its agriculture programs.
The programs have trained 92 people for work in agriculture, supported six agriculture and hemp business launches, and distributed more than 10,000 pounds of organically produced food.
National Black Business Month intersects with National Farmers Market Week, observed August 2–8 at Urban Triage through a Black-led agriculture model connecting food production, community food access, business development, hemp education and economic opportunity.
“Black people do not lack talent, ideas, or the ability to build successful businesses,” Brandi Grayson, founder and CEO of Urban Triage, said in a press release. “What has been denied is equal access to land, capital, infrastructure, training and markets.”
Urban Triage’s Supporting Healthy Agriculture initiative introduces participants to farming, gardening, organic food production and agricultural business development.
The organization grows most of its produce on certified organic farmland at the Linda and Gene Farley Center for Peace, Justice and Sustainability.
It also operates multiple community gardens and provides free produce and free access to community-supported agriculture at several distribution sites serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
The public can experience Urban Triage’s agriculture work at one of its primary growing sites during the fifth annual Urban Harvest Festival on Sept. 19, from 3 to 8 p.m., at the Farley Center, 2299 Spring Rose Road, Verona.
