A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY, FOOD,
CULTURE AND EMPOWERMENT
D-Town Farm©, a vital program of the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network (DBCFSN), is thrilled to announce its 18th Annual Harvest Festival. This anticipated festival is a joyous event that brings the Detroit community together to celebrate a bountiful harvest and uplift Black food sovereignty. This year’s harvest marks a new chapter for the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, as it welcomes new co-Executive Directors Gi’Anna Cheairs and Dr. shakara tyler.
Join us on Saturday, September 21, and Sunday, September 22, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM each day, during the fall equinox, for a jam-packed weekend of fun and learning activities for all ages. This is more than a festival; it's a movement of workshops, hands-on activities, music, and vibes that reflect the soul of sustainable food systems and community power.
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 FULL SCHEDULE
Healing Tent Schedule
Saturday and Sunday
Partnering with Alkebu-Lan Village, this unique space will feature the ADS Collective
(acu-detox specialists continuing the work of Dr. Mutulu Shakur and the Young Lords) and Deep Breaths and Heal (offering yoga, meditation, and sound healing).
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Open
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Acupuncture, Massage
2:00 PM
(every 30 minutes)
Traditional Yoga w/mat by Imari
4:00 PM
(every 30 minutes)
Chair Yoga by Imari
3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Tarot
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Sound Bath
New Leadership & Renewed Commitment to Community
Main Stage Schedule
Saturday, September 21, 2024
12:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONY (Baba Kefentse Chike - ADACI)
1:00 PM
DJ Idris (all day)
2:00 PM
COMPOSTING - Food Plus (Renee Wallace) and Dr. shakara tyler saba (DBCFSN)
2:30 PM
Sabrina Cesaire - Equestrian Horse Therapy
3:00 PM
Bee Keeping by Congo Beehive Collective
3:30 PM
African Drum & Dance Performance by Nanou Djapo
4:00 PM
African Drum & Dance Workshop
5:00 PM
Announcement: Acknowledge Volunteers, Sponsors, Draw Prize for Rain Barrell
5:30 PM
Imani Ma'at African Drum & Dance (Detroit School of the Arts, DSA
6:00 PM
Close
Main Stage Schedule
Sunday, September 22, 2024
12:00 PM
DJ Idris (all day)
1:00 PM
Black Farmer Land Fund Awardee Ceremony
2:00 PM
African Drum & Dance Performance by Nanou Djapo
2:30 PM
African Drum & Dance Workshop - Nanou Djapo
3:30 PM
Sabrina Cesaire - Equestrian Horse Therapy
3:45 PM
Bee Keeping by Congo Beehive Collective
4:00 PM
COMPOSTING - Food Plus (Renee Wallace) and Dr. shakara tyler saba (DBCFSN)
4:30 PM
GRATITUDE CEREMONY: Announcements, Acknowledge Volunteers, Sponsors
4:30 PM
GRATITUDE CEREMONY: Draw Prize: Raion Barrel - Erma Leaphart of Sierra Club
5:00 PM
Masquerade performance by House of Bastet
6:00 PM
Close
***On both days the composting & bee keeping presentations on stage will be very short and attendees will be directed to follow them to their areas to participate in the full hands-on workshop.
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 FULL SCHEDULE
WATOTO VILLAGE
Children's Area
Saturday and Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONY (Baba Kefentse Chike - ADACI)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Mask Making Learn-shop
1:30PM - 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Herb Walk with Urban Forest School
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Face Painting
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
SATURDAY - Bee Learnshop
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
SUNDAY - Herb Planting and Pot Decorating Learnshop
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SUPERVISED FREE PLAY: Led by Tobi Tansil of Alkebu-Lan Village
(an adult assigned to the play area to provide games and physical activities)
HARVEST FESTIVAL 2024 FULL SCHEDULE
THE JOY PROJECT
We are partnered with The Joy Project who offers a robust schedule of activities.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Whole Lamb Roast
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Library & Seed Share
Sunday, September 22, 2024
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Coal Roasted Sweet Potato & Open Fire Cauldron Chicken Bog
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Stories from South Carolina
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CELEBRATE AND EMPOWER
● The Joy Project: Learn hot sauce secrets and the history of cotton.
● Seed Saving & Swapping: Preserve heirloom crops and build community.
● Black Food Sovereignty: Deep dive into workshops, discussions, and a teen debate on food justice.
● Support Local: Shop the D-Town Farm Stand & DBCFSN Marketplace for Black-owned goods.
● Go Green: Learn about composting, watershed education, and bicycle power.
● Cultural Showcase: Witness martial arts demos, vibrant performances, and soulful music.
● Honor the Past, Build the Future: Join us for the Black Farmer Land Fund Awards and a special ceremony for our new leaders.
BEEKEEPING 101
An insightful presentation led by Mama Aba Ifeoma & Baba Karanja Famadou of DBCFSN Congo Beehive Collective, an international partnership of organizations dedicated to the upliftment of the people of Africa and the environment through beekeeping, particularly in the Congo Basin, the 2nd largest rainforest on Earth.
BUILDING ON A LEGACY
The festival showcases DBCFSN's transformative programs, including Food Warriors (which empowers children with food justice knowledge) and Food N' Flava (which cultivates leadership and entrepreneurial skills in teens).
HEALING TENT
Partnering with Alkebu-Lan Village, this unique space will
feature the ADS Collective (acu-detox specialists continuing the work of Dr. Mutulu Shakur and the Young Lords) and Deep Breaths and Heal (offering yoga, meditation, and sound healing)
15 minute Acudetox treatments daily 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Custom Massage Therapy session daily from 1L00 pm to 4:30 pm
30 minute Yoga sessions daily at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Individual Sound Healing and Tarot daily from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Collective Sound Bath 4:30 pm daily
BLACK FOOD SOVEREIGNTY
The Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund will host an award ceremony and offering an opportunity to its farmers to sell produce along with D-Town Farm at the harvest festival farmer's market. a coalition of DBCFSN, Oakland Ave Urban Farm and Keep Growing Detroit, began fundraising in the middle of lock down 2020 to raise 5k to protect Black farmers who could not afford to buy their land. We went viral and since then have led a grassroots fundraising movement to support #DetroitBlackFarmers and bring about intergenerational Black farmland ownership in the city of Detroit.
STORYTELLING TENT:
DETROIT IS DIFFERENT
The award winning online news magazine and culture defining podcast, Detroit Is Different, will interview participants and document our harvest festival.
We are honored to partner with the Detroit Equestrian Play Therapy. Children will have the opportunity to ride and care for beautiful ponies.
DETROIT EQUESTRIAN PLAY THERAPY
3:00 PM - 5;00 PM
FARMING IN THE CITY
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Seed Saving and Swapping. Threshing seeds to take
home by Farmer ZO
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM - FARMING IN THE CITY: led by Patrice Brown of
the City of Detroit
Department of Agriculture
Saturday’s Herbal Plant Walks we will walk the grounds of D-Town Farm and discuss the identification, beneficial uses, and indications of plants growing in and around the beds and fields on the farm. Sunday’s Live Apothecary will feature an herbal medicine making segment focused on simple home remedies and an art medicine making segment where you can tap into the healing power of creativity.
HEALING PLANT WALKS & LIVE APOTHECARY:
HERB & ART MEDICINE WITH GEO
3:00 PM - 5;00 PM
ROOTED IN COLOR
LED BY ANANA NYAUMUWI
Discover the rich tapestry of plant-based dyeing with our hands-on Diasporic Plant Dye Workshop. Explore the ancient art of dyeing with indigo, a natural blue pigment renowned for its depth and durability. Combine this with the vibrant hues of marigold, a versatile plant that offers a range of yellow and orange tones. Learn traditional techniques and experiment with modern approaches as you create unique, sustainable textiles.
JOIN THE MASQUERADE!
The House of Bastet LLC presentes an enchanting drum and dance performance titled "Wild Spirit Sorsornet" in praise of mothers. This captivating display draws deep inspiration from the traditions of the Baga people of Boke, West Africa, particularly the revered Sorsornet mask. They encourage participants to create their own masks and join the celebration!
join the movement!
BUILD BLACK FOOD SOVEREIGNTY WITH US
The Harvest Festival isn't just an event it's a movement. Come learn, connect, and celebrate the power of community to create a just and sustainable food system.
Get the full scoop, donate, and volunteer!
Media or Sponsorship inquiries?
Get in touch with Mama Piper Carter at pcarter@dbcfsn.org
Vendor opportunities are available. Contact Mama Nepthys at jkseevers51@gmail.com