Growers of Color: Samad Gardens Initiative

Reconnecting Culture to Nature: Samad Gardens Initiative

Featuring Azeem “Blessings” Kareem and Sarah Rose Kareem

Couple Azeem Kareem and Sarah Rose are two Hartford farmers. Through their journey, they found purpose and liberation through growing, despite not having any farming experience as children. In their video, they share their purpose while Azeem debunks negative perceptions of farming as a person of color. Their story is one where the garden is the neighborhood and the people in it. Join Azeem as he shares his vision of deeper connection, collaboration, and self-sufficiency through the act of growing.

Today, they are providing knowledge, training, and education through Samad Gardens Initiative LLC. This urban garden education enterprise, based in the Greater Hartford area, offers support and guidance for new growers, with a focus on the BIPOC community. They are currently based at Auerfarm in Bloomfield, and offer a range of hands-on educational programming. They sell herbal teas, spices, and organic produce to local markets.

Growers of Color was made possible through the support of the Connecticut Cultural Fund, the Connecticut Office of the Arts/DECD, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Special thanks to Mike Keo, who initiated this project.

Connect with Samad Gardens Initiative here to learn more and get involved: https://www.samadgardensinitiative.com/

Watch the video, and the entire Growers of Color series, on the Connecticut Musesum’s Youtube channel.