The Gilmore Family Farm FSA was founded to honor the enduring legacy of Mary Ester Gilmore (born July 8, 1925) and to carry forward her deep connection to the land. As a family-run collective, we unite Gilmore descendants and neighbors under a shared commitment to sustainable, organic agriculture. Drawing on Southern Black farming traditions, our cooperative model emphasizes mutual support—every member contributes labor, shares heirloom seeds, and exchanges hands-on knowledge. Through this tightly knit network, we keep Mary Ester’s spirit alive, ensuring that her values of hard work, generosity, and reverence for the earth continue to guide our daily harvests.

At the heart of our FSA are the programs and resources we offer to strengthen small-scale farming in our community. We host regular workshops on soil health, seed saving, and regenerative techniques, led by elders who learned directly from Mary Ester’s kitchen and garden. Our “Granny’s Garden” seed program packages her favorite heirloom varieties—such as tender collards, sweet field peas, and heritage corn—into easy-to-plant packets complete with planting guides. Beyond the fields, we facilitate tool-sharing circles and cooperative market days, where members collaboratively sell produce and reinvest proceeds back into farm improvements and educational outreach.

 Our offerings include:

• A cooperative model that pools labor, seeds, and tools for mutual benefit

• Sustainable, organic growing practices rooted in Southern Black agricultural traditions

• Community workshops on seed saving, soil health, and small-scale farm management

• A “Family Seed Bank” seed program featuring Gilmore Family Farm's  favorite heirloom varieties

Family Descendants’ Nutrition stands at the core of our mission, recognizing that true health begins with the food we grow and share. By prioritizing nutrient-dense, culturally significant crops, we address the disproportionate burden of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in African American communities. Each season’s planting plan is intentionally designed to boost dietary fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals—reintroducing the wholesome ingredients that fueled Mary Ester’s family for decades. In doing so, we not only nourish bodies but also honor the culinary wisdom passed down through generations.

To bring this vision to life, we create hands-on experiences that connect people of all ages to their food heritage. Farm-to-table dinners feature Gilmore Family Farms original recipes—like cornbread spoonbread and field pea stews—while our youth agripreneurship program teaches practical skills in cooking, preserving, and small-plot marketing. Monthly harvest festivals become living classrooms where grandparents weave stories of past seasons with grandchildren eager to learn. By cultivating both healthy crops and strong family bonds, the Gilmore Family Farm FSA ensures that every descendant grows up with the knowledge, pride, and resources to sustain their own table—and their own legacy.

Key benefits include:

• Health improvements through fiber-rich greens, legumes, and whole grains that combat hypertension and diabetes

• Cultural preservation by teaching recipes like collard stews, field peas, and cornbread passed down from Mary Ester’s kitchen

• Intergenerational connection via farm-to-table gatherings where elders share stories and cooking tips with youth

• Food sovereignty empowering families to grow, preserve, and exchange fresh, nourishing harvests within their own communities