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Each autumn, reminders of harvests and bounty become evident through the traditions and holidays we celebrate. Yet still many face food insecurity every day. Because of these cultural reminders, there is an increase in food-access interest, most notably around Thanksgiving, a holiday steeped in celebration of bounties of food and togetherness. To unpack a little further, beyond the holiday triggers, the lack of food access is a demonstration of historical cycles, external influences, and systems-based practices that create a barrier to food security that seem insurmountable. With current circumstances, inflation is the most notable development of food insecurity. Inflation has hit the highest levels seen in the last 40 years, due to a variety of factors. The USDA warns that the outlook for food costs remains grim, as prices of both meat and produce continue to rise and stabilize at higher rates. To question and trace back the circumstances surrounding these increases is a torrid journey, branching into many wormholes worth investigating. Of course, the most succinct (yet ironically, not) answer is to point to the most contemporary dominos that have fallen. The war between Russia and Ukraine has caused a fuel, fertilizer, and food production shortage globally. The recent Avian flu outbreak has made poultry and egg prices hard to maintain. COVID-19 and immigration stagnation has also lent a hand in production worker shortages. Let’s not stop there, though. We are only at a footnote of this “Lord of the Rings” level breakdown of food security. For the sake of brevity, we’ll stick to the 20th and 21st centuries. Within these parameters, the first showcase of an unraveling system happened after the first World War. In 1920, agriculture as an industry experienced the Great Depression nearly a full decade before the rest of the economic landscape. System changes, eerily similar to the ones made in the last six years, caused 1 in 4 farms to be sold. In the spirit of American “rugged individualism” loans were made available to the remaining farmers clinging to their family legacies and years of physical investment. Not just farmers were pushed into the system of questionable loans. So, it is no surprise that after another nine years of struggle, those loans became so faulty that they propelled the nation into the greatest economic depression to ever hit the United States. However, from an economic “famine” a feast did arise. It just took about forty more years to build enough momentum. Through the decline of farmers in the United States, the family farmer population dropped from 60% to below 20%. And to compound the misfortune, many of those dispossessed farmers were Black. Once a robust population of farmers, Black-owned and operated farms now only make up 1.3% of farms. So all that land, vacant and owned by banks or purchased outright, where did it go? The feast that was alluded to was not a feast for the people, but rather for a new booming opportunity: corporate farming. What corporate farming did was create a system that allowed for the chronic disinvestment of localized farming and access to food. It fed an increased opportunity for processed food, making it more advantageous for large amounts of food with longer shelf lives to be made, regardless of the health benefits. More economical and convenient food sounded like a great premise, but in the end, it caused a series of generational health issues and conditions. High sugars, high carbohydrates, and artificial ingredients allowed for addictive, pound-packing, and diet-related disease ramifications. Today, processed foods make up the majority of what is purchased, not just because of convenience, but because of preferences focusing on familiarity rather than nutrition. Additionally, because of the long shelf-life, many food pantries gravitate towards pre-packaged foods because the risk of spoilage is minimal and easy to define with “best buy” dates. Further, food apartheid in majority black and Hispanic neighborhoods creates low opportunities for accessing fresh foods. So, with increased prices and limited access, food insecurity, specifically nutritious food insecurity, remains a dominant problem in this country. So what are our solutions? This problem, years in the making is not an easy one to disentangle. A multi-pronged approach is necessary to actually address causation and correlations keeping us in this persistent state. Through social movements like OneRouge, opportunities for collaborations between food providers and food producers are a pathway toward access. Initiating food shares and farmers’ markets (with EBT/SNAP acceptance and dollar doubling) in areas of food apartheid allows for access for the individual while providing income for the participating farmer. But it can’t stop there, food will always be required, thus education about food growth and consumption is critical. Joining forces is a step in the right direction because the “rugged individualism” of the past is what lead to this point in time. When something as important as food is thrown away (not due to spoilage) to maintain prices and profits, there is a serious societal problem. Addressing it will take a united effort from the bottom up.

Expanding The Walls Project into Dallas has been a long-term endeavor since 2019 for the organization. Along the way Walls has developed relationships with many like-minded programs and partners, such as The City of Dallas , United Way of Metro Dallas , Matthews Southwest , Urban Specialists , and the BT Foundry . To build on this momentum and truly catalyze The Walls' place in Dallas, The Moozie Foundation granted $20,000 to support setting up our program operations in DFW. This is a huge step forward in providing Walls services such as The Futures Fund to the Dallas community and eliminating the drivers of poverty while building culture and inclusion. This generous gift helps expedite our workforce training, creative placemaking, and blight remediation efforts in the Southern Dallas sector and launch our intergenerational technology and creative industry workforce training programs. THANK YOU MOOZIE FOUNDATION!!

This spring, The Walls Project was awarded the opportunity to continue to close the tech divide in Big D! With the generous support of State Fair of Texas, the Futures Fund program will be able to grow our footprint in Dallas, TX. Thanks to partnerships like State Fair of Texas and other local partners, Walls Project is able to spread web design and development skills to people in the Southern Dallas Sector. This partnership will cement Walls' expansion into Dallas by making it possible to offer in-person events and opportunities to begin bridging the digital gap. Walls Project will offer both Futures Fund programs including Coding Boot Camp for adults and Tech Academy for teens in Dallas. Thank you State Fair of Texas! We are so grateful to have your support in bringing Futures Fund to the people of Dallas.

Returning for another year in Dallas, TX, The Walls Project is collaborating with South Side Quarter Development Corporation (SSQDC) to produce Juneteenth Fest 2022. In 2019, SSQDC, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, began hosting small clean-up initiatives around different areas in the South Dallas Fair Park neighborhood after a few successful pocket cleanups the organization was ready to go bigger. From that initiative MLK Fest 2020 was born. Juneteenth Fest 2022 spurred from this initial event, creating a bi-annual opportunity to engage creatives and residents. SSQDC, Epiphany, and several partners and community advocates which include: Urban Specialists, The Walls Project, RHI management, Dallas Designing Dreams, New Era Management & The MLK Center have all come together to encourage and support residents, organizations, and businesses to come together to restore this emerging part of sunny South Dallas. Location: South Dallas – Fair Park neighborhood Date: June18th, 2022 – 9:30 - 11:30 am Parking & Registration: The MLK Center 2922 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75215 T-shirts and all trash retrieval items will be provided. Lunch will be provided. To sign up to volunteer for the event, click here.

Have you ever been curious about how the next few years are going to be as we become more and more digital? The COVID pandemic created a hyper-sped movement towards technology advancements, showcasing the need for consistent and reliable virtual movement. But as the job market continues to fluctuate, how can anyone predict what is a skill worth investing into? What careers were once pitched by school counselors 20 years ago as a career path may already be slowing down, if not already dormant. So many are trying to become "future-proof" whether they are aware of the need or not. The Futures Fund is hosting a pilot workshop in Dallas on October 19 on Employment in the 21st Century. This workshop is a part of a series that continues to build on the importance of being tech savvy in any career path going forward. Additional workshops will be piloted throughout the Winter in Dallas, so be on the look out for more dates and opportunities! These workshops have been made possible by the support from The Moozie Foundation, Santander Consumer USA Foundation, United Way Metro Dallas, and State Fair of Texas.

Sow Good Saturday is a one-of-a-kind experience. Where else can you go in Baton Rouge and take a yoga class, learn gardening tips, grow plants on a farm, watch a cooking demo with a chef, and taste delicious plant-based dishes for free? This is exactly what happens at Sow Good Saturday on every first Saturday of the month at Baton Roots Community Farm at BREC’s Howell Park. Local volunteers of all ages arrive at the farm dressed in active wear, ready to breathe in the fresh outdoors and get their hands dirty (with gloves of course). Gardening demos vary based on the season and what’s needed at the farm. Volunteers do everything from harvesting ripe carrots to planting wildflower seeds for the pollinators. “People develop a better understanding of the natural world when they are actually active and engaged in those activities,” farm manager Danesha Shepherd says about Sow Good Saturday. “If we don’t take the initiative and actually show them how their food is grown, handled, and processed then how are we going to eat within the next couple of years?” Speaking of food, Chef Traci Vincent with Geaux Get Healthy and the American Heart Association shows volunteers how to make fresh recipes right on the farm. She demonstrates how to make hot plant-based dishes like sautéed squash and quick and easy meals like salads. Sow Good Saturday attendees get to soak in a morning of holistic wellness. At every event, there is a physical wellness component like guided yoga. Volunteers don’t have to have any yoga experience and can show up as is. Yoga mats are provided for anyone who needs them. Baton Roots is all about providing the community with access to fresh food. At the end of every Sow Good Saturday, people can receive free or offer pay-want-you-can options for produce from the farm. Usually, volunteers leave with a handful of freebies too like seedlings, wildflower bouquets, or extra veggies. After leaving Sow Good Saturday, you can feel a sense of hope and inspiration in the air. It’s a feeling of satisfaction and knowing that you did something good for yourself and the community. In the words of famous anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Sow Good Saturday is made possible by the collaboration of partners like Geaux Get Healthy, BREC, American Heart Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation & Humana Foundation, and many more! If you want to add your partnership, please email SK Groll . Don't miss the next opportunity to feel SOW GOOD! Sign up for the next Sow Good Saturday on November 5 here .

When Ashli Ognelodh left her home base in Atlanta to spend time in Baton Rouge during the pandemic, she never expected it to be a career-changing move. “I really enjoy this organization,” she said when talking about her new role as Artist in Residence at The Walls Project. “I’ve been a part of a lot of art organizations and I’ve never seen one function this way. It’s very personable. It’s very transparent.” Ashli has worked in Jamaica, New York, Miami, and of course, Atlanta. “I came to Baton Rouge during the pandemic. I need a break from Atlanta,” she explained. “I was completely exhausted and if I’m being honest, I wanted something different. I just didn’t know what. “It was calm. It was quiet. It was intriguing, endearing, and I love that,” she added. “And so I was just like, what could you lose if you moved here for a couple of months, which has now turned into two years.” During her time here, Ashli has completed five murals for The Walls Project and has assisted on other projects as well. “I was laying in bed scrolling on Instagram and a Walls Project reel just popped up somehow, randomly, in my algorithm,” she said when recalling how she learned about the organization. “I clicked on it and you guys were doing a volunteer event with Bryson and Skinny Dope at one of the parks.” Ashli went out to the volunteer event and her involvement with the organization took off like a rocket. Along with her work as an artist, she is filling in for Morgan Udoh while she is on maternity leave. If you haven’t heard, Morgan is having twin girls and her due date is in November! “Shout out to Morgan because she’s always the head honcho,” Ashli said with a laugh. “No one can top her. But I’m very much looking forward to taking on the challenge. I do think I can be an asset here.” Her skills as a painter are clear, but that’s not all she enjoys about the world of art. “I’m a creative, but I also love arts administration,” she said. “I think it’s important for every artist to at least have some concept of arts administration.” Ashli’s career in the arts was actually a pivot from what is considered a more traditional career path. “When I was 21, I was in church and the Holy Spirit was like, I was you to quit your job and pursue art,” she said. “I was working at a bank at the time and was about to be promoted to a personal banker, and I just had this shift and I was very adamant about not doing it because I was like, I want to make a good living. But it was just aching and pushing at me. And sometimes when that happens, you are kind of forced to do it.” For the last 13 years, she’s put all her energy into becoming a professional, working artist. And the piece of advice she was given when she was still a student at Georgia State. “I was on the bus in Atlanta and a guy told me, you can be a C artist if you are an A+ marketer,” she recalled. “And that was probably the best advice I was ever given, because he was absolutely right.” Establishing relationships and being open to opportunities are her key pieces of advice to share with young artists. That mentality is exactly what landed her here at The Walls Project and the reciprocation is why she’s decided to stick around. “No one here gives me the feeling that they are unavailable, or that there’s any entitlement or anything like that,” she explained. “You find that a lot in the art world. People want to feel important and then it becomes very cliquish. I don’t think there's anyone here that I couldn’t ask for a hug if I wanted one.” If you see Ashli out at a mural event, make sure to go give her a big hug! Until then, learn more about Ashli on her website!

In a display of unity and solidarity, students share a historical experience together celebrating the Southern University and LSU football game by painting a collaborative mural at the 70805 Conversion Center. Photos by Matthew White Art students from Southern University Laboratory School and LSU Laboratory School left campus on Wednesday, September 7 to spend the day painting a new mural located in the 70805 area. “We have a historic collaboration between Southern and LSU Lab schools, both of whom reached out to each other and to me to set up this opportunity to express the excellence of both programs athletically, through science, through the arts, in this collaborative mural,” - Morgan Udoh, Public Arts and Placemaking Program Coordinator Along with coordinating the day of work, Udoh created the design for the mural. “Often when we think about Southern and LSU in general, we think about athletics, and it should be thought of because they’re both top tier programs, but they are so much more than that,” she said when explaining the design. “There are motifs throughout the mural that showcase both of their programs and running through the center of the design all the way through are the mashup of the two schools' branded colors, of which they both share gold and yellow. We have books anchoring the logos from both schools in the middle.” Roughly two dozen students participated in the day of painting, which also turned into a dance party at least a few times. “When the principal brought this to me it was a no-brainer,” said Southern University art instructor Christopher Turner. “Just to give them community service exposure and co-mingle with U-High was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.” “I hope the kids will see that we’re all the same,” said Elizabeth Mackey, U-High art instructor. “And I hope that they will step outside of their box a little bit and reach out into the community and do more for the community.” The mural is located at the 70805 Conversion Center. It is headed by Mardia Scott, a native of Baton Rouge, who is a leader in the community and utilizes his space to host art events for the youths and showcase their talents, gain support and mentorship. “It’s just a safe space for kids in this area,” Udoh explained. “70805 is often talked about a lot in regards to crime, but there really is a strong community here that just needs some additional support and investment and by bringing these two private schools that are public for enrollment over here, it just helps our students who will become future leaders to see what areas of town need their advocacy, need their collaboration, and need a listening ear.” Both schools have expressed an interest in doing another collaborative piece in the spring.

Some of the country’s most creative professionals in fashion come from Baton Rouge. Clothing designer and Baton Rouge native Christopher John Rodgers’ designs have been worn by Michelle Obama, Lizzo, Cardi B, and Zendaya (just to name a few). Anthony Ryan Auld, an LSU alumnus, won Project Runway All Stars II. And former LSU alumna and apparel design student Nicole Hogan went on to design accessories for Michael Kors. The Capital City is bursting with fashionable talent. Meet three locals in fashion you should know right now: Cydney Cherise, Elle Marie, and Grace Chetta. We got to know these local powerhouse stylists and designers and capture their essence in front of nature-inspired Walls Project murals to reflect their individual beauty. Credits Creative director: Cynthea Corfah Photographer: Raegan Labat Stylists: Elle Marie, Cydney Cherise, and Grace Chetta Writer: Cynthea Corfah Cydney Cherise Art Director , specializing in fashion styling What is your proudest career achievement thus far? I received an invitation to style a major show at NYFW. Who is your favorite fashion designer and/or stylist? Jahleel Weaver @illjahjah How would you describe your style? Joséphine Baker meets new world streetwear If you could be known for one thing in the fashion industry, what would that be? Opening new worlds. Igniting intuitions worldwide by unleashing boundless love into the masses through my art. If you could partner with any visual artist in the world, who would that be? Nadia Lee Cohen Elle Marie Fashion stylist , specializing in editorial, product, personal, video, commercial shoot, and photoshoot styling What is your proudest career achievement thus far? Working with P.J Morton and seeing my style work on TV (Good Morning America and the Kelly Clarkson Show) also getting the chance to style our Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. Who is your favorite fashion designer and/or stylist? It’s hard to pick one favorite stylist because I like some for different reasons. Rachel Zoe because of her story of becoming a stylist. I feel like we have similar stories and I love her elegant boho chic looks. June Ambrose . She is a dope creative and the way she has an eye for styling music videos is amazing. Kollin Carter because of his edgy, but chic take on how he styles his clients. Law Roach with his take on how he can take a masculine look and make it so feminine and classy. He plays with suits a lot and I love a well-tailored suit. J.Bolin because he stays in his own lane and his clients respect his craft and continuously work with him. That's a goal of mine, consistency! Not to mention he loves God and he's not afraid to let the world know it. How would you describe your style? Edgy, yet chic If you could be known for one thing in the fashion industry, what would it be? I love mixing prints, but I would like my work to speak for itself as a whole. I want you to see someone/something and instantly know that was ElleMarie styling . If you could partner with any visual artist in the world, who would that be? June Ambrose and/or Kahlana Barfield Grace Chetta Fashion Designer, designer, and founder of Gretta Garments What is your proudest career achievement thus far? Starting my own business. Completing my MBA. Receiving genuine and positive feedback for my original designs. Who is your favorite fashion designer and/or stylist? I am inspired by so many. A few brands I find myself always referencing are Vivetta , Molly Goddard , Cecilie Bahnsen , and Monique Lhuillier . How would you describe your style? Vintage, timeless, playful, elegant. French countryside glam? I feel like I’m a kid playing dress-up most of the time like 1890s fine lady meets 1960s Mod. Comfortable and fabulous. If you could be known for one thing in the fashion industry, what would that be? Timeless looks that make women feel fabulously beautifully themselves and #feelinggretta. If you could partner with any visual artist in the world, who would that be? I’ve studied all the amazing classics and drawn so much inspiration from historic art and design. I surround myself with other artists and admire their practices in all other mediums of expression. There are so many local artists I would love to partner with but in the world? Filmmaker, Taika Waititi, would be a fun one! Interested in having your own photoshoot in front of the murals? Here are their locations! Please tag @wallsproject so we can share your moments of glamor! Mural locations Wall #140 , 14024 Highland Road Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Wall #26 , 1109 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Wall #139 , 20055 Old Scenic Hwy, Zachary, LA 70791

September is national honey month and we can’t celebrate honey without honoring bees. At Baton Roots, our farmers love seeing bees and other pollinators. In fact, the farmers intentionally plant pollenizers, plants that provide pollen, to attract pollinating insects. Let our farm manager Hannah Wascomb tell you why. 1. Why is it important to plant pollenizers? Pollenizers help attract beneficial insects to your garden. They attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects to the areas where produce is grown. They attract more beneficial insects to the area where you have planted vegetables or fruit that need pollination to produce. 2. What are the benefits of planting pollenizers? Pollenizers not only add beauty and color to your garden but also attract all kinds of beneficial insects needed for pollination of your garden crops. The higher number of pollinators in your garden gives you a higher chance of your produce being pollinated more consistently and producing more to harvest! 3. What types of plants are beneficial to pollinators? Flowers are of huge benefit to pollinators, specifically native flowering plants! Flowers are everywhere so pollinators are everywhere - including on shrubs, bushes, vines, trees, herbs, common weeds, and even grass! 4. What tips do you have for local growers wanting to attract more pollinators to their garden or farm? The wider variety of plants will attract more pollinators. It's important to keep pollinator plants blooming through the whole growing season. In addition, keeping the flowers in close proximity to your crops is beneficial to the pollinators to have less distance to travel between plants.

Our murals program is more than just paint on a wall. Often, the mural is just the start of a grander vision. Such is the case for a recent project in the Eden Park neighborhood. Eden Park is located in the 70802 zip code and includes the area surrounding the massive Roselawn Cemetery. The visionaries for the neighborhood project are Linnea and Curtis Howard, owners of the New Look Neighborhood Grocery Store. “They commissioned their self-built retention wall for a mural in the pocket park they own and created on 38th & Cain Street,” explains Morgan Udoh, Mural Arts Senior Program Coordinator for The Walls Project. The mural was completed earlier this year. The second phase of the project seems far removed from art but is actually very familiar territory for The Walls Project. “Once the beautification was completed, they wanted to add a garden bed as well in order to grow fresh produce for their ‘free’ bins and to incorporate into the hot meals that they serve on-site,” Udoh adds. “The garden is located on a plot behind the store.” Bright and early at 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, around a dozen volunteers, gathered at the location to build out two large beds. Cinder blocks stacked three levels high were used for the foundation. “The goal was to make the garden accessible to everyone in the neighborhood, so we made them tall so people would not have to bend over as much,” Udoh notes. “There’s a large number of senior citizens in the neighborhood and we want this to be easy for them.” Now that the beds are built and filled with fresh soil, the Baton Roots team will come in and add irrigation to make it sustainable. Once that’s in place, there will be another volunteer work day to plant items in the garden. To keep up with volunteer opportunities, make sure to follow The Walls Project's event page, on social media, and on Give Pulse.

The summer heat has not been kind, but our devoted and talented artists overcame the challenge to create some fabulous murals. Hopefully, cooler weather will arrive in time for our next round of projects. Projects Completed The students at the Louisiana Key Academy now have a vibrant playground to keep their creative minds active. Artist Skinny Dope finished the final touches on August 13. “The families and students really came out to help with this project. We had roughly 40 volunteers who stuck with us,” said Morgan Udoh, public arts and placemaking program coordinator for The Walls Project. “We completely transformed their backlot into a playground that they are going to be using in their instruction." “And a special shout out to the staff who helped to guide the design that the artist incorporated to match their curriculum,” she added. Nearly Finished The project celebrating BREC’s 75th anniversary was another major project that got started during the dog days of summer. Three out of five of the locations are complete. They include Gus Young, Highland, and Baker BREC Park locations. “The artist Ashli Ognelodh, did a wonderful job of incorporating the resources at each park in creating this park scavenger hunt.” Still remaining are the projects at the parks located in Zachary and Central.