I Got Next is a Coalition of Urban farmers and farm businesses of color in the Hartford area who are working towards the same vision of a food-just society for people of color wherein we own the land from which we produce. We provide fresh, healthy produce and educational opportunities to all ages to reconnect our communities with the healing power of the earth. I Got Next entities produce & vend specialized ethnic crops and a general broad diversity of vegetables and fruits including but not limited to: callaloo, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, bok choy, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplant, cilantro, butternut squash, lettuce, oregano, thyme, tulsi, korean mint, spinach, radish, scallions, collards, Cilantro, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Zucchini, Carrots, Beets, Radish, Green Beans, sweet corn, potatoes, broccoli, broccoli rabe, kale. We maintain a collective presence at farmer's markets, community centers and community events in the Greater Hartford area including Windsor, Bloomfield, and various neighborhoods of Hartford and are planning on launching a CSA in 2021. We maintain contracts with the Hartford Public School System. I Got Next additionally features two education-based businesses that service youth and adults to provide practical garden and farming instruction to the BIPOC community in-person and online. We wish to expand our current operations and pool our funds to purchase a farm as soon as we find the right fit and are able to secure grant and crowd funds. Besides expanding our vegetable crop production, our future plans include getting a few cows, bees and small livestock.
Our core team includes:
+ Manny Marte - Micro2Life LLC: Production Farmer, Farmer’s Markets (5+ years farming)
+ Zania Johnson - Micro2Life LLC : Farmer and Nutritionist (5+ years)
+ Derrick Bedward - Farm Production Manager (Wholistic, International, 25+ years farming experience)
+ Blessings Divine - Samad Gardens Initiative LLC (est 2020): Adult Education, Branding, Marketing & Communications, Music, Farming
+ Sarah Rose Kareem - Samad Gardens Initiative LLC (est 2020): Adult Education & Programming, Herbs Farme, In-depth new grower Mentorship (5 years farming experience)
+ Lauren Little Edutainment LLC: Creative Youth Programming, Edutainment, Community Outreach, School Garden Demonstrations (10+ years as a garden educator)
+ Herb Virgo - Keney Park Sustainability Program: Programs Director, Specialty Crops, Beekeeping, Small Livestock (10+ years experience)
