Local restaurant owner hopes to increase black involvement in the farming industry
Adrian Lipscombe says she plans to buy at least 40 acres of agricultural land and have it be Black-owned
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT)– A local restaurant owner is launching a new project to support Black foodways.
The owner of Uptowne Cafe in La Crosse is raising money for her ’40 Acres and a Mule Project.’ Adrian Lipscombe said she plans to buy at least 40 acres of agricultural land and have it be Black-owned.
It’s a way to help Black people learn about agricultural traditions and contributions of black people in the farming industry, which is now predominately white.
“So this is just an opportunity for us to 1) to spread the knowledge of this information, 2) to preserve the information, and 3) to sustain the information in the future for future farmers or people who are interested in being part of the agricultural field,” Lipscombe said.
Lipscombe does not have a specific location in mind, but has started to get some leads.
She said if they are able to raise more than anticipated, they will look at other ways to help support similar kinds of projects or resources.
A GoFundMe for the project has raised about $59,000, as of Sunday night.
wkbt
