Since 2020, the Canadian Black Farmers Association (CBFA) has been leading groundbreaking agricultural research and experimentation in partnership with the Kara-Kata Africa Village. Together, we have been working to grow African and Caribbean heritage crops right here in Canada, crops once thought impossible to cultivate in this climate. All our original seeds come from our organic 500+ acre partner farm in Nigeria, the 50 Acres Plus Project https://karakataafrobeatsociety.ca/africa-projects/
Our Breakthrough.
From our early trials to our thriving greenhouses today, our team has made history. We are proud to be the first in Canada to successfully grow and harvest African and Jamaican yams and cassava, completing our first full test harvest in November 2025. Other culturally significant crops we have successfully grown include Water Leaf, Ugwu Leaf, Garden Egg, Efo Greens, African Maize, Yellow Yam, Kontomire, Callaloo, Sorghum, Okra, and Groundnut, foods that connect our communities to our roots, nourish our bodies, and strengthen our sense of home.
Expanding Our Capacity.
Through our partnership farms and research site, we now operate two commercial greenhouses, with a third and largest facility scheduled to open in 2026. We are also currently establishing two new sites in British Columbia, in Surrey and Qualicum Beach, as well as our first Ontario site in Waterloo. Each location will serve as both a production and training hub, helping to extend our impact and create pathways for new farmers to enter the industry.
Every advancement has brought us closer to our goal of establishing food sovereignty and generational wealth transfer for Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) communities across Canada.
Building New Knowledge.
Because no one has done this work before in Canada at a commercial level, there is no existing data on how to cultivate these crops successfully in northern climates. We are actively compiling new data, including soil composition, temperature control, crop performance, and yield patterns, to build a resource base for our members and for future generations. This work is creating a national knowledge hub that will empower BAC farmers across Canada to replicate our success and expand cultural food production. We have also experimented with natural food preservation methods such as canning and value added, like fermenting and making Gari from cassava.
The Secret to Our Success.
The secret behind our success is the Canadian Black Farmers Organic Loamy Soil Mix, a natural, nutrient-rich growing medium developed by our team and made in Canada. It is specially formulated for tropical and subtropical plants and enriched only with natural goat manure from our own herd. We use no chemicals or synthetic fertilizers, relying instead on organic methods and traditional wisdom.
Sustainable and Regenerative Practices.
We also practice seed saving from every harvest, preserving the genetic diversity of our crops and ensuring sustainable, community-driven production. In 2025, we introduced underground heating systems in our greenhouses, and the results have been remarkable, showing stronger growth, faster yields, and healthier plants even through the cold Canadian months.
Looking Ahead.
Looking ahead, we see a future where the impossible becomes possible. What once seemed unimaginable, growing African and Caribbean crops at a commercial scale in Canada, is now a living, thriving reality.
Our long-term vision is to establish a nationwide network of BAC-run farms across Canada, growing culturally preferred foods, building food sovereignty, and creating generational wealth transfer through sustainable agriculture. Through innovation, collaboration, and the unwavering spirit of our community, we are proving that with the right knowledge, soil, and heart, anything can grow here.
