Syracuse, N.Y. — Charles Madlock wants the Black community to put agriculture before pop culture.

“Most people want to be rappers, football players or basketball players, anything but farming, because that’s just what our culture is,” he said.

But Madlock, 40, argues the community would be more empowered by taking ownership of food insecurity solutions.

“We go without because we can’t do,” he said.

As an urban agriculture consultant and owner of Golden Carat Farms , Madlock is educating children and adults with the hope of inspiring new farmers and ensuring their success.

In New York state, there are only 138 Black farmers compared to 55,000 white farmers.

That discrepancy, along with food deserts in Syracuse’s poorest neighborhoods, means food options are limited, and health is

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