Red Emma’s

Our speaker for October is Denzel Mitchell. Denzel brings a fusion of leadership, varied professional experience, and a deep-rooted connection to agriculture. Raised a country boy with cowboy roots in Oklahoma, Denzel’s journey into farming began early, sparking his interest and commitment to food, consumption, production and sovereignty. Denzel was a founding organizer and member farmer of the Farm Alliance. In November 2012, he completed Future Harvest-CASA’s Beginning Farmer Training Program. Soon after, he (alongside a farmer friend, a chef, and a food historian) brought a nearly-forgotten heirloom pepper variety, Baltimore’s Fish Pepper, back to the Chesapeake foodshed’s culinary palette.

He and his family founded Five Seeds Farm and operated it with a cadre of supporters and volunteers between 2008 – 2016. From 2012 to Spring of 2017, Denzel mentored and trained new growers, organized farmers’ markets, advised others in starting small farms, community gardens, food co-ops and food businesses. Over the last 15 years, he’s held various roles supporting healthy food education and access in the Baltimore area; teaching young people at several Baltimore City public schools and after-school programs.

He was the Brownfields Coordinator for Baltimore City’s Office of Planning, the Farm Manager at Strength To Love 2 for three seasons (2017-2020) and has served as advisor to several farms including Real Food Farm, Whitelock Community Farm, Strength To Love 2 Farm and Great Kids Farm. He has served on the board of directors for the Friends of Great Kids Farm, Belair-Edison Neighborhood, Inc. and Acres4Change. He currently sits on the board of Our Common Table.

With nearly 15 years of farming experience to inform and enrich his strategic approach, his leadership is enabling FAB to navigate market shifts and pioneer innovative agricultural methods. Through mentorship and advocacy, he ignites passion in the next generation of Black farmers.