WHY UJAMAA

Ujamaa, the Fourth Principle of Kwanzaa means 'Cooperative Economics'. This principle tasks us to build our own businesses, control the economics of our communities, and share in its work and wealth. 

Ujamaa is a Swahili word popularized by the former Tanzanian president and scholar Julius Nyerere. Nyerere's educational philosophy as represented by Ujamaa embodies self-reliance - especially economic self reliance.

The Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance (UCFA), is a program of the non-profit organization STEAM ONWARD Inc.  As a collective, UCFA recruits and supports emergent and seasoned growers from diverse communities who cultivate heirloom seeds and grow culturally relevant food crops. UCFA recognizes the need for increased diversity in agriculture and in the seed industry specifically. We are bridging the gap between seed growers from diverse communities and heirloom seed companies.

Seed farmers grow crops in a way that increases the quality and expands the quantity of plants for the purpose of selling the seeds to other farmers and gardeners. Heirloom seed farming can be an additional revenue stream for farmers, gardeners, and growers as demand far outstrips supply. On a small plot of land, farmers and gardeners can make a profit from seed farming. In fact, many folks take up seed growing as a side business, rather than as their sole source of income. 

At UCFA we view seeds as more than genetic organisms, but also as vessels of culture. The rise of industrialized agriculture over the past century, has resulted in a 75% decrease in food crop diversity. With the decline in regional food crop diversity, not only are many heirloom varieties becoming extinct, but regional farming traditions, and regional cultural cuisines also risk erasure.  Within each seed is life that sustains us, and life that provides us with connections to both our ancestors and future generations.

Support UCFA by purchasing UJAMAA SEEDS at ujamaaseeds.com. In addition to plant types, our culturally meaningful seed collections are organized by regional and ethnic/cultural traditions. 

UCFA supports a healthier way of living for our youth and adults through agriculture. UCFA utilizes environmentally sustainable practices for gardening and farming that will support a more nutritious diet and more active lifestyle.  

To learn more contact UCFA at: 240-515-8558 or ujamaafarmingcoop@gmail.com  

At UCFA we view seeds as more than a commodity, but also as vessels of culture. The rise of commercialized agriculture over the past century, has resulted in a 75% decrease in food crop diversity. With the decline in regional food crop diversity, not only are many heirloom varieties becoming extinct, but regional farming traditions, and regional cultural cuisines also risk erasure.  Within each seed is life that sustains us, and life that provides us with connections to the past, and to our ancestors and our future generations.

At UCFA we are passing on the ancient and traditional knowledge of seed saving through several programs and projects. UCFA Seed Hubs are localized independent collectives of BIPOC farmers and gardeners organized around growing, cleaning, and processing culturally meaningful heirloom seeds. 

UCFA supports ten Seed Hubs across the nation.Through the Ujamaa Academy and the Ira Wallace Seed Farming School, UCFA is providing BIPOC growers instruction in seed farming and seed saving via online classes as well as on-site face-to-face learning. 

UCFA is passing on the tradition of seed farming and seed saving to youth through our Collardz 4 Kidz Project, and our Wangari Maathai Food Forest Project. In addition, UCFA is identifying and interviewing seasoned BIPOC growers of culturally meaningful seeds nationwide through the Heirloom Garden Oral History Project.

Through partnerships such as the Seed Farm at Princeton and the Heirloom Collard Project, as well as partnerships with other universities and organizations, UCFA grows rare, culturally-meaningful seed crops and pursues research on the art and science of heirloom plants. 

In addition, on four acres in Upper Marlboro, Maryland UCFA is converting Tayman’s Field, a formerly terraced organic vegetable farm into a seed farming demonstration site.

UCFA works to conserve heritage varieties of culturally important crop species both at our central seed hub in Maryland and at regional seed hubs across the US. Through UJAMAA SEEDS, we provide culturally meaningful heirloom seeds, mainly through online sales, but also at conferences, community events, and market days. Seeds are also produced for both free distribution within our network and for sale to the public. Distributing heirloom seeds helps preserve heritage varieties, and contributes to biodiversity, as well as a more resilient and sustainable food system.