Covergirl on the Farm

The Chicago Tribune is generally a Farmgirl must read, especially on Sundays. And this Sunday was no disappointment with microbiologist turned model turned Farmgirl Johari Cole-Kweli gracing the cover of Tribune Magazine…standing on her tractor no less.

Turns out Farmgirl Johari is deep into the organic movement in Kankakee County, Ill., where her 45 acres churn out veggies such as kale, peas and tomatoes. She’s among what the Trib calls a new wave of settlers who are more educated and more rooted in the middle class than previous generations of African American farmers, who arrived in Pembroke Township escaping slavery, Jim Crow and Chicago riots.

She and this new group are pioneering organic, sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture…while helping to build community by supplying resources and bringing modern technology to the table for farmers and their children.

Johari, her family and Lyabo Farms in Momence are inspiring.

Photos and video of Johari and Pembroke are at www.chicagotribune.com/pembroke.