Nestled on a piece of land that has been in the family since 1927, the Booker Community Nutrition Garden hosted a vibrant and educational Juneteenth celebration this month.
Led by founder and scholar-researcher Booker T. Woodard, the showcase brought together community members, families, educators, and conservation leaders to highlight the intersection of agriculture, climate awareness, cultural heritage, and food sustainability. Held on June 19 and again on June 21 at 157 Isaac Newsome Road in Pinola, Mississippi, the event was presented in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as part of the 2025 Agriculture Conservation Project. Visitors were greeted with colorful displays of sunflowers and rows of fresh produce alongside chickens, pigs, and pecan trees—symbols of the farm’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable food systems. The community garden, active since 2017, serves not only as a source of nutrition but as a living classroom.
“This land has a legacy,” said Woodard. “We’re growing food, but we’re also planting knowledge—especially about climate change, environmental stewardship, and African American contributions to agriculture.” The June 19 Juneteenth holiday showcase featured ten engaging exhibits, including The Water Cycle: Nature’s Recycling System, demonstrating how water moves through the environment; A World of Pollinators, spotlighting bees, butterflies, and their es s like tomatoes, sweet potatoes, eggplants, butter beans, and satsumas grown to connect local farms to school cafeterias; Successful Farming: The Pork Powerhouse, sharing insights on backyard pig farming and sustainable livestock care; and the Booker T. Woodard Garden Poster Chart, a visual record of the garden’s development and seasonal planting strategies.
Historical and cultural displays provided a powerful educational layer. Visitors viewed a portrait of George Washington Carver teaching a young white boy about mushrooms, and a photo of Lewis Adams, a former slave whose efforts led to the founding of what is now Tuskegee University.
A special tribute recognized Woodard's lifetime of dedication, including an award from the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs in 2013 for outstanding service. That same commitment was on display throughout the June 21 showcase, which featured the theme “Success Working Together: The Real Stuff.”
Guests explored stories from Tougaloo College’s 144th Founders Week, the Civil Rights Movement’s 50th anniversary commemoration, and features on historic African American thinkers like Frederick Douglass, Dr. Charles Drew, and W.E.B. Du Bois.“This isn't just about gardening,” said Woodard, who now resides in Rockford, Illinois but frequently returns to Mississippi for research and community work. “It’s about reclaiming our story, feeding our bodies and minds, and honoring those who paved the way.”
Woodard’s hands-on leadership, deep commitment to history, and forward-looking environmental vision continue to shape the Booker Community Nutrition Garden as both a food resource and a beacon of cultural pride. For more information about the garden or to get involved, contact Booker T. Woodard at 779-348-6748 or email bookertwoodard@gmail.com.
