Immanuel and Valarie Jarvis, owners of Jireh Family Farm, are training the next generation of Black farmers. And as proud Food Bank partners who grow and raise food for local families facing hunger, their impact in the local community is immeasurable.
Each summer, children come to their East Durham farm to learn sustainable ways to grow food. Immanuel and Valarie let kids taste vegetables from their garden, including bell peppers cut off the vine. Over the years, Immanuel and Valarie watched children from summer camp start their own gardens and pursue college degrees in agriculture.
Jireh Family Farm began with a desire to heal Valarie’s family. After her brother was diagnosed with colon cancer, Valarie and Immanuel returned to the land to grow food free from preservatives and chemicals. Valarie uses her skills as a herbalist and registered nurse to teach people how to use medicinal herbs grown on the farm: “People can come learn, touch the earth, and leave whole.”
The Jarvis family’s work is crucial in preserving the strong legacy of Black farmers engaged in local hunger relief efforts. A century ago, Black-owned farms made up nearly 16 million acres of land. But following generations of violence, land theft, and discriminatory lending practices, nearly 90% of that land has been lost. Today, less than 2% of farms are owned by Black families, despite a deep and rich history in agriculture – at a time when 1 in 4 Black households face hunger in North Carolina.
“People can come learn, touch the earth, and leave whole.
Valarie Jarvis, a third-generation farmer and co-owner of Jireh Farmily Farm
Immanuel and Valarie watched children from summer camp start their own gardens and pursue college degrees in agriculture.
“I would say that my grandfather’s dream would be this.” Valarie Jarvis, a third-generation farmer and co-owner of Jireh Farmily Farm
The Jarvis family proudly keeps the farming tradition alive. Immanuel and Valarie Jarvis are passing along their knowledge and expertise to a fourth generation – to a daughter who purchased a car with the profits from her egg sales.
“I think our ancestors always wanted to have an opportunity to be able to take the produce and the sweat of their brow and turn that into money to be able to support their family, to be able to have something that could pass on to their children’s children.”
Immanuel Jarvis, co-owner of Jireh Family Farm
The Jarvis family proudly keeps the farming tradition alive. Valarie grew up on her grandfather’s tobacco farm in Virginia and is now passing along her knowledge and expertise to a fourth generation – to a daughter who purchased a car with the profits from her egg sales.
Returning to the land is a way for Immanuel and Valarie to fulfill the dreams of their ancestors. Immanuel shared that his farm is proof that this is possible: “We want to truly be an example of Black folks owning land, creating money, and being able to enjoy the profits from the sweat of their brow.”
As we celebrate the Juneteenth holiday and honor the liberation of enslaved people across the country, it’s clear more work is needed to support communities that have faced barriers for generations. The Food Bank has benefited greatly from the skill and generosity of Black farmers in our area – and we honor the longstanding partners who continue to nourish our communities.
Invest in the next generation of Black farmers by visiting the Jireh Family Farm store.
