New Orleans Film Society New Orleans, LA
Dr. Jasmine Johnson
National Black Food and Justice Alliance
Rooted— An exploration of agricultural justice
Program Description
In this post-screening discussion, crucial conversations will explore how agricultural policies, rooted in racism, have historically disadvantaged farmers of color, while food science has often prioritized industrial farming over sustainable, equitable practices. Agricultural justice calls for a reorientation of both policy and science towards supporting diverse, small-scale farming communities and advancing sustainable food systems.
Presented At
New Orleans Film Society New Orleans, LA
Film Synopsis
Activist and urban farmer Germaine Jenkins is taking on the power structure in Charleston, SC, to counter the tide of toxic food that has ravaged her community for decades.
Faced with the lack of fresh produce in a South Carolina food desert, Germaine Jenkins dedicated ten years of her life to creating an urban farm on an empty city lot. Rooted embarks on an intimate journey alongside Germaine, a Black mother-of-two, resolute in her quest to own the land she farms — a critical first step in establishing stability for her community and sowing the seeds of generational wealth for her family. The specter of sharecropping’s legacy looms over Germaine as she navigates Southern government, well-intentioned nonprofits, and the realities of becoming a community leader. When the demands of working both the soil and the politicians exact their toll upon her health, Germaine must look inward and recalibrate her personal notion of triumph. Rooted celebrates the power of one woman’s unyielding commitment to food justice, and illuminates the path towards societal—and personal— metamorphosis.
About the Speaker
Dr. Jasmine Johnson is an applied food systems research and policy-based specialist. She partners with academic research teams, anchor institutions, philanthropic foundations, and community-based organizations to identify root causes of and develop innovative solutions to food system challenges. Dr. Jas received her master’s degree in Community Planning from Auburn University and Ph.D. in Integrative Public Policy and Development from Tuskegee University. As a New Orleans native and farmer, she has developed a unique perspective when it comes to food and the effects that it has on communities. Dr. Jas believes that your zip code should not determine your life expectancy, and building relationships are essential to creating a sustainable and just food system.