2006 –

Established a backyard garden in an unused lot of a Believer that
measured 30’x50′, wherein we in ground planted 30 different vegetables and
herbs. For the 9 months we had access to the property, we harvested and sold
fresh vegetables and herbs to the Believers on Sundays.

Carlton Muhammad, my husband, and I constructed two large redwood planter
boxes (4’x10′ x24” and 3’x6’x24”) filled with top soil, which was
donated by Sis Wilma X, our most senior Sister (my Mother), to MUI students
at our Mosque. Approximate value of donation $900.00

2007 –

Established a Buying Club which ran for approximately 10 months and
stopped due to lack of proper organization.

Constructed and assisted with the construction of planter boxes for the
growing of food for the African Advanced Learning Center, an independent
african-centered school.

2008 –

Acquired the opportunity to use City owned Community Garden within a
beautiful park in our neighborhood. Consisting of 12, 8’x4′ planter boxes, 9
of which we manage through our Non-Profit, Oakland Agricultural Group. The
Members growing food in the boxes are Believers from our Mosque (MM26B), and
the interaction with the community is positive in that they enjoy seeing
their own people growing food instead of white folks in our communities. One
of our Brothers from the community looks out for the garden and in return we
give him whatever he wants that is growing there. We will begin preparing
our soil early February for spring planting in March. You may visit out
website www.oaklandurbangardens.org
to view some of our work.

2009 –

Motivated by the blueprint of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad wherein
he states, Recognize the necessity for unity and group operations
(activities)” “Pool your resources, physically as well as
financially, The Honorable Minister Farrakhan’s Address to us on “Accepting
Responsibility to Build Our Communities, and the work and inspiration of our
National Ministry of Agriculture by Dr. Ridgley and Sis Anne Muhammad. We
reorganized, restructured and reestablished our Produce Buying Club and held
our first event, May 16 with 27 Members participating. We currently operate
every other Saturday and have signed on over 100 members with over half
participating in every Produce Event. The majority of our Members are
outside of the Believing Community. One of the goals of the MOA Oakland is
“To establish a Member-Owned Cooperative Corporation in the Black
Community, as an example of our collective work and a benefit to our health
and economy.” www.yourmarketproduce.com

Supporters have offered use of a 6500 sq ft lot for the purpose of
establishing a Community Garden to increase access to fresh produce in the
black community as well as teaching and training the importance of growing our
own food, preparing for food shortages and working in a collective manner.
This opportunity will also allow some production of vegetables and herbs for
our Buying Club Members. The lot is currently undeveloped.

Held several Solar Cooking Workshops along with Sis Melva X, in San
Francisco at Whitney Young Child Development Center and Oakland at Masjid
Tasbeeh.

Received Non-Profit status for The Oakland Agricultural Group, Inc., for
the purpose of acquiring Private and City land use to grow fresh produce,
increase community access and awareness throughout our communities.

Sis Majeedah Muhammad

Student Farm Marketing Coordinator

MOA – Oakland CA

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Obesity is the number one disease that is plaguing us, our families,
communities and our nation. It is also the number robber of our health, welfare,
finances and life. Many adults have had to have limbs amputated, they have lost
their eyesight, and have develop many other debilitating aliments. The best part
of this disease is that it is preventable, and the worst part is that we do not
do what it takes to keep us healthy and fit.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that there are a variety
of factors that play a role in Obesity;

· Behavior

· Environment

· Genetic

If you are” in balance” you are eating roughly the same number of
calories that your body is using. Your weight will remain stable.

If you are “in caloric excess” you are eating more calories than your
body is using. You will store these extra calories as fat and you’ll gain
weight.

Losing weight “In caloric deficit” you are eating fewer calories than you
are using, your body is pulling from its fat storage cells for energy, so your
weight is decreasing.

Genetics and the environment may increase the risk of personal weight gain.
However, the choices a person makes in
eating and physical activity also contributes to overweight and obesity.

People may make decisions based on their environment or community. For
example, a person may choose not to walk to the store because of a lack of
sidewalks. Communities, homes, and workplace

Can all influence people’s health decisions. Because of this influence, it
is important to create environments in these locations that make it easier to
engage in physical activity and to eat a healthy diet.

· In the state of Florida where I live 25-29% of the
population is obese.

· Blacks had 51 percent higher prevalence (meaning
widely existing, practiced, and accepted) of obesity in the US.

· Greater prevalence of obesity for blacks and whites
were found in the South and Midwest.

· Childhood Obesity (2008) report children 2-5 years
of age obesity has increased from 5.0% to 12.4%.

· 6-11 years of age increased from 6.5%-17.0%.

· 12-19 years of age increased from 5.0%-17.6%.

· One in 7 low-income preschool age children are obese’

· American Indians and Alaska Native are the only race
or ethnic group with increasing rate and has increased ½% point each year.
(2003-2008).

· In 2008, obesity prevalence was 11.8% among black
children American Indians or Alaska Native was the highest (21.2%).

· Reduce time spent washing television and in other
sedentary behaviors.

· Build physical activity into regular routines.

· Incorporate How to Eat to Live in your daily
lives.

· Practice and teach the science of How to Eat to
Live.

· Learn and teach the art of growing your own food.

· Learn and teach the science of cooking, baking,
canning your food and making it fun.

· Educate ourselves, our youth, and others the true
meaning and results of fast foods.

· Educate ourselves, our youth, and others what must
be done to protect our freedom for producing our own food.

(Click here for previous Farmer Newsletter
articles)