Latest Updates

The RVA Center for Justice proudly celebrated the graduation of eight young women from its Community Service and Agricultural Program (CSAP).

Members of the Harvesting Hope cohort completed their final farm practicum training at Brighter Future Farms in Drew, Mississippi. Under the guidance of Dr. T.J. Bradford, participants gained hands-on experience in planting, weeding, tractor operation, composting, and tilling while developing valuable agricultural and workforce skills.

Participants in the Harvesting Hope Program visited Brighter Future Farms in Drew, Mississippi, where owner Nicole Jackson provided a tour of the farm, shared its history, and discussed plans for a future agroforestry center. The visit offered valuable insight into sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship, and the role of local farms in strengthening communities across the Mississippi Delta.

The Reuben V. Anderson Center for Justice hosted the Delta GREENS Food Policy Summit: Strategy, Advocacy, and Action in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, bringing together food system leaders, policymakers, and community stakeholders to discuss sustainable agriculture, food access, public health, and local food policy. The summit featured presentations on the Center’s food systems initiatives, Medicaid advocacy strategies, workforce development programs, and policy frameworks designed to strengthen regional food systems and advance community wellness.

The Reuben V. Anderson Center for Justice sponsored the 2nd Annual Tougaloo College 100 Men in Suits Day: Release the Pressure, a campus and community initiative focused on cardiovascular health, Black men’s wellness, professionalism, and food as medicine. Sponsored through the Delta GREENS Food Is Medicine Initiative, the event featured moderator Dr. Victor Sutton and keynote speaker Dr. Richard Rayford, who led discussions on hypertension, preventive healthcare, and healthy living. The evening combined health education, leadership, fellowship, and a Farm to Table Experience to promote awareness surrounding heart disease prevention and community wellness.

The Tougaloo Agri-Growth Initiative launched its spring planting season with crop installation and food production activities focused on sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and increased access to fresh produce. The initiative continues to support agricultural education, seasonal production planning, and workforce development through hands-on farming operations and sustainable growing practices.

The Harvesting Hope Initiative completed its first training milestone under the 2025 Workforce Development Grant, equipping participants with hands-on sustainable agriculture skills, business planning tools, and food safety training to support workforce readiness and long-term economic opportunity.

The FRESH Farmers Program delivered free, locally grown produce to 1,100 families across the Mississippi Delta during winter SNAP delays, helping bridge food access gaps and ensure households had reliable, healthy options when resources were most limited.

The FRESH Training Program and Food Policy Council convening brought together 30 farmers, vendors, and regional partners in the Mississippi Delta to develop cooperative farm plans, assess labor and equipment needs, and shape local food procurement policy. The sessions strengthened collaboration, aligned production with market demand, and laid the groundwork for expanding regional food systems through upcoming policy action and resource support.

The Foundation for the Mid South awarded $550,000 to 11 Mississippi organizations through its Moving Mississippians Forward Through Employment Initiative, supporting programs that remove barriers to work and connect participants to industry-recognized credentials in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, construction, and agriculture.

The FRESH Farmer Training, hosted by the Reuben V. Anderson Center for Justice, brought Mississippi farmers together for a two-day program focused on sustainable agriculture, business development, and access to federal resources. Held at the Alcorn Extension Demonstration Farm, the training equipped participants with practical skills in food safety, specialty crop production, financial planning, and market readiness to strengthen farm profitability and build a more resilient regional food system.

Recently, Attorney Julian Miller, LeBroderick Woods, Dr. Lawren Long and Sharon Jimerson were accepted into the 2025 School of Political Leadership Cohort for HEAL (Health, Environment, Agriculture, Labor) Food Alliance. Our team's name is Mississippi Fresh. 

A Total of 36 Community-Led Initiatives Funded to Support Infrastructure, Policy and Organizing,
and Tribal Food Systems Approaches to Equitable Institutional Food Buying