Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlana Brumfield.
Hi Arlana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
During high-school, I acquired a license in Nursing (LPN). I learned microbiology intrigued me more. I enrolled in college for Biology/Pre-Med. After a year I chose to enlist in the US Army to help pay for my college tuition. I became a Food/Sanitation/Water Inspector and Educator. I loved my job. My education allowed me to embrace the microbes in water and food. My entire tour was in Germany, Europe and I deployed to Kosovo/Albania bordering the Middle East. While there, I saw another level of poverty and food insecurity due to effects of tribal wars. I am sure that took root, pun not intended. Both of my parents were raised working the land in deep south Osyka , Mississippi. My father picked cotton and my mom lived on a thriving farm with livestock, crops, and game meat. My siblings and I hail from New Orleans, La after my parents married and relocated to live the American dream. They brought farming with them and landscaped the borders of our home with collards, cabbage, and other produce. Both of them dig up 3/4 of any yard and grow ample produce to eat. I genuinely love my deep New Orleans culture centered around amazing food laced with Afro-Carribean flavors. I later used this love for food and military experience to become a Food Manager for TDCJ, a Director of Catering and a Chef.
In 2020, Hurricane Katrina really highlighted racial and health disparity in New Orleans, La, which was predominantly black. I was angry at the incompetence shown by the government to get fresh water to my city and it’s residents. I had the training to sanitize hundreds of thousands gallons of water in minutes. I participated doing so in Kosovo. I believe that’s when the call to social activism became a burden. It became a small seed that has taken root in me, and grown into this deep rooted passion and vison that is Soilutions Holistic Agricultural Operations, NPO.
While getting my BS in Public Health, after relocating to Dallas Tx, I had to do an internship my senior year. I learned reputable facts about food insecurity, health disparities, and food deserts that unfortunately where prevalent in communities with a high black n brown population. It’s a systemic issue that keeps the community sick, impoverished, and weak. As the intern, I assisted with the Food Justice Dept. which hosted a Farmer’s Market along with a handful of other organizations. There was a call to action to meet the local gardeners on all levels. After working with them, I noted several gaps in their education and support. I too, was an Urban gardener. I fought to combat anxiety, depression, and hypertension after my military service. I started gardening to combat and eradicated these with the healing and nutrients from the garden
I decided to be apart of the solution versus the problem in my community. I began writing an Urban gardener’s cohort from seed, to soil, to harvest and all fundamentals that came with it. I had begun volunteering with a couple non profits that feed the homeless on the weekend. The same young lady that managed the Farmer’s Market had a non profit as well. I began working with her to supplement her food justice efforts by designing and supervising building a community garden. I pitched the garden plan and the cohort to her largest stakeholder, Texas Small Farmers & Ranchers CBO. My roots were getting deeper! I had an amazing time , the cohort graduated 12-15 students that started or enhanced their own gardens.
My efforts allowed me to meet impactful community partners and work with my alma mater. I wanted to directly impact the overwhelmingly toxic food swamp of Oak Cliff Dallas. I was contracted by Texas Small Farmers & Ranchers to continue my efforts supporting local gardeners to be integrated into the food economy. That was a dream come true. I wanted the healthy food access that I grew up on to be a reality in my community. After working with TSFRCBO, and seeing the mission in action, I knew I had something to offer as well. The difference was I was the grower, the biologist, the chef and Public health enthusiast. After weeks of prayer and additional non profit training – Soilutions Holistic Ag Operations was born!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been fair. On a scale from 1 to 10, its been a six to seven. I experienced several organizations wanting to partner. They either wanted to start a garden and/or educate different groups in the community. The need was there but the operation and management was really lacking. I was always expected to deliver my time, knowledge, and even sweat equity with no monetary compensation or adequate support. Even when I requisitioned the funding – I was left out. It takes funds to run a program effectively and to make an impact. I have had to take a hard stance and not partner with many.
Additionally, the culture around garden to table meals and eating healthy has been diminished by the food swamp and the fast paced lifestyle of living in the city. It often feels like I ‘m paddling uphill while promoting fresh produce and healthy eating. One, it’s not as accessible, it’s begun to be expensive, and the loads of processed, manufactured food is much more accessible. I have had to accept the small ripples.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I actually farm on five acres and at my home in raised bags and containers. I host workshops that allow me to highlight reversing disease and the effects of Urbanization on the soil. Unlike gardening, agriculture, farm education, and other food justice organizations giving out food donations. I start by emulating the lesson. I do the true farm work and include a heavy amount of Biology and S.T.E.M. to support how regenerative practices provide the ideal ecosystem and nutritious produce. My experiences and education sets me apart from any other farm. I demonstrate wholism with the farm that addresses many health disparities my community struggles with the most. It’s a holistic tool that mimics Public health principles. By centering on the power of creating living soil, I get to impact access to clean water, having robust nutrient dense produce, clean air, and reversing so many diseases and disorders affected by the ecosystem and nutrition deficiencies. Soilutions is a powerhouse.
What matters most to you?
A resilient and sustainable community that has the most basic right to clean water, safe environment, healthy food options, and the ability to heal and be strong for many many generations to come.
Pricing:
- $150 -$250 hybrid garden consultation
- free 15 min consultation
- $100 /event public speaking
- Travel accomadations
- $15-$25 on site farmacy workshop
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soilutionsholisticfarm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soilutionsholisticag?igsh=N2xjZnBpdjNjODQw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@soilutionsgardennfarming?_t=ZT-903iT5zLGg3&_r=1
