Starting small
We have so many things in the works right now, so it seems only fitting that we keep you all updated (as best we can) through our blog. It’s our goal to be as transparent as possible about our happenings in the community, so don’t mind us if we’re a little too honest about things.
Right now, we’re in the process of building out the first phase of the kitchen. Just a simple little space where our in-house eatery can operate. This little kitchen will also give us an opportunity to begin hosting a few classes and workshops for the community. We’re going to start off small with those efforts as we work to find out where to start and how to grow in a way that’s viable, not only for our organization, but for our community as well.
Our in-house chef is me, Sarah Cole of Abadir’s, a small traveling eatery offering light fare and pastries all inspired be North African (Egyptian) cuisine and flavors with a little more wholesome Southern dishes in the mix. Right now Abadir’s operates as a pop-up shop, but soon they’ll use the space to run a small local eatery with both sit-down and take-home options available. The menu is seasonal and fresh, featuring fruits and veggies from regional farmers and producers as well as organic produce from the Abadir’s kitchen garden. This mission driven organization is working to create something more than a restaurant in this rural community. As the owner and head chef, I’m working to create a restaurant that’s dedicated to two things: 1) providing better food options for rural Alabama and 2) building a space that’s accessible to everyone. We want to ensure that everyone has a spot at the table.
When the restaurant isn’t open, the space, known as Black Belt Kitchen, will house food-based programming for the community. We like to use the term “food studies” because it leaves the Kitchen open to a range of possibilities. Right now we’re seeking local, regional, and national chefs and educators to join our kitchen each month to provide educational opportunities for our participants. While we have great, big dreams of what this space can and will house, we’re starting off small, giving ourselves plenty of room to evolve is a very impactful way.
Now, let’s take a moment to recognize the individuals involved with this organization. At this time, we have a small, strong coalition of community members and organizations working together to make this vision come to life. Here is our current team:
Meg Ford: environmental educator, primarily working in the nonprofit world. Has 10+ years of experience in administrative nonprofit work, including community engagement, outreach, event planning, and grant writing with the Alabama Symphony, Ruffner Mountain, and Alabama Audubon; and 6+ years of experience as an environmental educator with Ruffner Mountain and Camp McDowell. Meg is an advocate for equitable access to Alabama's natural spaces, empowering communities through conservation-based outreach, and ecotourism as a vehicle for economic growth.
Dr. John Dorsey: Founder and Executive Director of Project Horseshoe Farm. In addition to his current work with Project Horseshoe Farm, Dr. Dorsey serves as a staff psychiatrist, the Chief of Medical Staff, and on the Board of Directors at Hale County Hospital and as the staff psychiatrist at Colonial Haven Nursing Home. He is an adjunct clinical faculty member at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Medicine, and the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was selected as a “Pillar of West Alabama” by the Community Foundation of West Alabama and is a member of Class XXI of Leadership Alabama.
Eric Ball: Auburn University’s Rural Studio Farm Manager, Eric helped expand this program, ultimately creating a rich, thriving farm that currently supplies the school’s kitchen. Starting this year, Eric is examining ways in which the farm can better serve the community as a whole as their levels of production continue to grow each year. Currently, Eric is testing a CSA program. Eric also has experience as an educator, beginning as a high school teacher in New Orleans public schools. Rural Studio Farm is an educational farm where most of the labor is done by students of the program, and Eric directs and manages these educational components. In addition to teaching on the farm, he has given lectures on food security and food systems, as well as taught two seminars in permaculture design. In the coming years, he hopes to begin sharing produce with Project Horseshoe Farm as well as local soup kitchens. During his 10 years in this position, Eric has developed a vast knowledge of food production in the Alabama Black Belt using sustainable, regenerative, and organic practices. He is an advocate for food security on a national and local level, and wants to help create a more food accessible environment for this area.
Llevelyn Rhone: President of the Hale County (AL) Chamber of Commerce, leading the organization’s efforts to facilitate economic opportunity and civic engagement. He has extensive experience in operations, community and economic development, project management, entrepreneurship, and management consulting. Additionally, Llevelyn is a Director for Direct Invest Development, an impact focused, sustainable real estate company. Previously, Llevelyn was Founder of Kalenjin and Company, a business consultancy, where he provided leadership for complex, innovative economic growth projects and management of multi-firm project teams. Earlier Llevelyn was the owner and later the Vice President and COO of a utility construction company. An Alabama Black Belt native and Greensboro (AL) resident, he holds an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.
Robert Fitzpatrick: Owner and operator of Stone Fruit Woodworks, an independent custom design and restoration business in Greensboro, Alabama. Before moving to Alabama the bulk of his career was focused on Building maintenance and property management and has been the primary focus of his work for over 20 years. Beginning in 2002 with low income housing upkeep and maintenance in Texas. He then moved to Huntsville, Alabama and became involved with Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment, acting in event planning roles, stage and set building and design, and property management. In 2014 he began working in a lead maintenance role with the facility. He continued this role with Citizens Bank in Pittsburgh, where by the end of 2018, he managed 63 branches throughout the commonwealth and surrounding towns. In which time he received OSHA certification. In addition, Robert has worked with roofing and with refinishing wood floors as well as remodeling and reinforcing standing structures. At this time he lends his skills and time to the community of Greensboro by consulting and working to rebuild homes and businesses in the Black Belt. For the future, Robert intends to create a program to teach children and adults alike, the art of beekeeping and the importance of labor, namely through sharpening skills and general shop safety.
And then there’s me, Sarah Cole, the owner and founder the dreamer of BBFP. An Alabama Black Belt native who has worn many hats over the years. A graduate of the University of West Alabama, I continued my education, receiving a MFA in Community Journalism from the University of Alabama. After that, I worked as a photojournalist for The Huntsville Times followed by a 2-year run as the Media Director for Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment. At that time, I also earned my NASM Personal Training certification and began working as a personal trainer, which led me to a career shift. I moved to Pittsburgh as a personal trainer, later becoming the Market Manager for the Lawrenceville Farmers Market (as well as a baker and a library clerk). I got heavily involved in the local food community, which is ultimately where my perception of food and access began to shift. I’ve always had a love for food, but I wasn’t always sure of how I could channel that energy. Taking that time to reset really gave me an opportunity to discover my passions, and after 3 years away, I decided that it was time to move back to Alabama so I could help make a difference in my own community. So, here I am, running a small eatery and a nonprofit with hopes of providing greater access and opportunity for the Alabama Black Belt.
We’ll keep you posted with updates about the space and the organization. In the meantime, show your support by spreading the word and following us on social media. Donations are also very helpful. Learn more about how you can make a difference by helping our future space grow by visiting the donation page.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for the support. Let’s work together to build a better future for the Alabama Black Belt!
Love,
Sarah
