In this debut episode of the Growing Liberation podcast, Sammie Ardito Rivera speaks with Michael Chaney, organizer, movement elder, and co-founder of Midwest Farmers of Color Collective. Known as the “Johnny Applesseed of urban farming in North Minneapolis,” Michael shares what he’s learned from his decades of community organizing in North Minneapolis and the civil rights movement.

SAMMIE ARDITO RIVERA (Leech Lake and White Earth Ojibwe) is a member of the Midwest Farmers of Color Collective coordinating team. She also operates Sin Frontera Food and Farm with her family and is senior project director for Marnita’s Table.

MICHAEL CHANEY is an activist, youth advocate, organizer, and cultural artist. He is a co-founder and serves on the coordinating team of Midwest Farmers of Color Collective and is also co-founder of Project Sweetie Pie and a leader in the growing “green movement” in North Minneapolis.

GROWING LIBERATION is a podcast from Midwest Farmers of Color Collective, a collective of Black Indigenous farmers of color centered on racial justice and the development of food and farming systems that honor our communities past, present, and future. Learn more at: https://midwestfarmersofcolor.org/.

MFCC would like to acknowledge all of the original founders of the Midwest Farmers of Color Collective: Vera F. Allen, Hindolo Pokawa, Zoe Hollomon, Michael Chaney, and Sophia Benrud.

EPISODE 1 CREDITS:

Creator: Midwest Farmers of Color Collective with Real Food Media

Co-producer/host: Sammie Ardito Rivera, MFCC/Sin Fronteras Farm & Food

Co-producer/guest: Michael Chaney, MFCC/Project Sweetie Pie

Audio editor: Jaime Roque

Executive producer: Tanya Kerssen, Real Food Media

Theme music: “Our Past Lives” by Moonfly

SHOW NOTES:

2:25 | What it means to be a movement elder

3:05 | The origins of Project Sweetie Pie

5:10 | Michael’s history of organizing in the 1980s and 90s

6:31 | Michael’s earliest memories of food and farming

7:45 | Michael: “How will I survive the apocalypse?”

9:50 | Sammie on coming of age in the Indigenous environmental movement

10:20 | The pandemic as a wake up call.

10:33 | Michael on how food is a pivotal point for all of us to organize around

11:25 | The origin story of the Midwest Farmers of Color Collective

14:00 | Organizing with Clyde Bellecourt to close Snyder’s Liquor Store

15:34 | Sammie on the American Indian Movement & influences of the Black Panther Party

17:09 | Michael, “It’s not just about a broken food system, it’s about broken communities.”

18:18 | Sammie on communal values and using food as an organizing tool.

19:00 | MFCC programs to give voice to farmers of color

20:08 | On meeting with legislators in DC to share the concerns of farmers of color

21:20 | Sustainable family farming vs. large-scale factory farm model

22:22 | Sammie on land access

23:25 | Equity and inclusion as stated policy priorities for the Biden administration

25:51 | Michael: “If we’re going to grow a sustainable food system, a sustainable planet, we need all hands on deck.”

DIG DEEPER:

Meet Project Sweetie Pie, MPR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le05GPxDv-Y

James Lileks, “Johnny Appleseed of north Minneapolis grows gardens, inspires kids,” Star Tribune 2016, https://www.startribune.com/johnny-appleseed-of-north-minneapolis-grows-gardens-inspires-kids/393618481/

Anya Crittenton, “Project Sweetie Pie,” Green American Magazine, https://www.greenamerica.org/soilsuperheroes/PSP

Tom Weber, “In Mpls, advocates set to fight for North High's survival,” MPR 2010, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2010/10/12/minneapolis-north-high-school-closing

“Close the Liquor Store” Documentary from 1991 about efforts by neighbors and AIM to close down Snyder's Liquor store in the Phillips Neighborhood. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXKiDCSbtJo (Michael Chaney appears at minute 4:28)

Clyde Bellecourt, “Storied 1968: American Indian Movement,” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=5353798844646482