From the Waters to the Soil: Building Long-Term Solidarity with Farm Aid and NAMA (North American Marine Alliance)


True civic engagement is a lifelong commitment to protecting the heritage, land, and natural resources that sustain our communities. Our grassroots efforts are about a continuous, long-term building of racial, economic, and environmental justice across our villages and neighborhoods.

When we shared and reflected on our heritage during this visit, one profound truth resonated deeply with all of us. It is a piece of history and foundational wisdom passed down by my mother, Queen Marie Brinkley Hill, whom so many of you knew for her great wisdom. She always shared that our ancestors firmly believed "food started in the water before it ever started on land." This powerful understanding anchors our entire approach to environmental justice: we must protect our waters to sustain our soils.

I am deeply honored that the national organizers from the North American Marine Alliance (NAMA) and Farm Aid (farmaid.org) reached out to me directly to collaborate and learn from our local history. Over the past several months and ongoing, they have traveled to Suffolk from all parts of the United States to tour our working waterfronts and community spaces to see firsthand the active, breathing reality of our seventh-generation waterman and farming legacy.

While I am proud to participate as an official grassroots contributor at the upcoming national Farm Aid Festival on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Virginia Beach, our collaboration extends far beyond a single day. When rapid overdevelopment encroaches on our historic villages, it jeopardizes local food security, historic well water tables, generational oyster rights, and the livelihoods of our working families. By uniting our local front-line struggles here in Suffolk with national advocacy networks, we ensure our environment, our soil, and our community’s voice are fiercely preserved for generations to come.

Let us continue to walk this trail together, holding hands side by side!

 

 

 

BELOW IS THE OFFICIAL PHOTO JOURNAL DOCUMENTING OUR GRASSROOTS FIELDWORK ON THE WATERS AND ON LAND:
These photographs document the true story of our joint fieldwork on the waters and on land, showing the power of national and local movements standing side by side.
We are guided by Matthew 4:19 to empower our people with the tools to thrive, and Proverbs 24:16 to lift each other up every single time we stumble. We are entirely responsible for one another and for the future generations yet unborn.
🌊 OUR WATER HERITAGE
Standing proud in our solidarity beneath the official state highway marker for K-322 African American Oystermen. This historical marker honors the brave Black watermen who built their lives on these local creeks, proving our fight for historic waters and generational fishing rights is anchored in deep truth.

K-322 AFRICAN AMERICAN OYSTERMENT HIGHWAY MARKER

Standing proud in our solidarity beneath the official state highway marker for K-322 African American Oystermen. This historical marker honors the brave Black watermen who built their lives on these local creeks, proving our fight for historic waters and generational fishing rights is anchored in deep truth.

Taking the national team directly out onto our regional waterways. Showing the organizers firsthand the beauty, the ecology, and the severe infrastructure challenges facing our home waters as traditional workboats navigate the channel.

WATERMAN NAVIGATING THE CHANNELS WHILE TEAM WAIT TO ABOARD OYSTER BOAT

Taking the national team directly out onto our regional waterways. Showing the organizers firsthand the beauty, the ecology, and the severe infrastructure challenges facing our home waters as traditional workboats navigate the channel.

Let us continue to walk this trail together, holding hands side by side. This unforgettable final moment captures everyone on the tour literally holding hands, helping each other step safely from the workboat onto the dock—the absolute definition of grassroots community solidarity.

GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY SOLIDARITY

Let us continue to walk this trail together, holding hands side by side. This unforgettable moment captures everyone on the tour literally holding hands, helping each other step safely from off the dock onto the workboat—the absolute definition of grassroots community solidarity.

Taking the Farm Aid and NAMA teams directly out onto our local channels aboard a traditional vessel to analyze our local ecosystem and document our maritime trades.


GUIDING THE VESSEL

Taking the Farm Aid and NAMA teams directly out onto our local channels aboard a traditional vessel to analyze our local ecosystem and document our maritime trades.

The real, hard-working reality of our heritage. Out on the active workboat next to a massive, fresh haul of oysters piled high on the culling board.ion it takes to sustain this way of life


THE OYSTER CULLING BOARD

The real, hard-working reality of our heritage. Out on the active workboat next to a massive, fresh haul of oysters piled high in the culling board. Waterwoman, Mary Hill, demonstrating the daily dedication it takes to sustain this way of life. "Everyone respected the rules of the river." We throw back oysters less than 3 inches so they will replenish
themselves.

After venturing back on land, Mary Hill brought the Farm Aid and NAMA teams to share in a demonstration of traditional oyster shucking and enjoying the harvest together.

SHARING THE CATCH ON LAND
 
After venturing back on land, Mary Hill brought the Farm Aid and NAMA teams to share in a demonstration of traditional oyster shucking and enjoying the harvest together.
OUR SACRED SOIL

Resurrecting the soil to resurrect our neighborhood. We are rolling up our sleeves next to the wheelbarrow and galvanized Tarter stock tanks to bring our community garden back to life, nurturing this ground as a vital asset for our people.

HISTORIC HOBSON VILLAGE SACRED GROUND

In homage to our history, we resurrected this historic site while working hand-in-hand with the national Farm Aid and NAMA teams. This property, which formerly housed our 1912 community school and Masonic Lodge, is officially part of the entire historic Hobson Village named to Virginia's Most Endangered Historic Places List. Moving with the mighty tide of environmental justice, this sacred ground now stands as a historic community garden and seed bank preserving our heritage for future generations.

Resurrecting the soil to resurrect our neighborhood. We are rolling up our sleeves next to the wheelbarrow and galvanized Tarter stock tanks to bring our community garden back to life, nurturing this ground as a vital asset for sustainability.
RESURRECTING THE VILLAGE/COMMUNITY GARDEN
 
Resurrecting the soil to resurrect our neighborhood. We are rolling up our sleeves next to the wheelbarrow and galvanized Tarter stock tanks to bring our community garden back to life, nurturing this ground as a vital asset for sustainability. 

Standing side-by-side on the land after a long day of fieldwork. With our hands in the earth and our hearts united, the national and local teams gather around the newly established community garden beds, fully committed to growing a sustainable future for Historic Hobson Village.

VILLAGE GARDEN TEAM SOLIDARITY

Standing side-by-side on the land after a long day of fieldwork. With our hands in the earth and our hearts united, the national and local teams gather around the newly established community garden beds, fully committed to growing a sustainable future for Historic Hobson Village.