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First-generation farmer Niya Brown Matthews turns urban land into a thriving farm.
DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. — A non-traditional farmer in Douglasville is inspiring a new generation to see farming as a path open to everyone.
At Twin Oak Farms, Niya Brown Matthews is proving that you don’t need decades of experience—or a family farm—to grow your own food and make an impact in your community.
“I went to YouTube University, Google University,” Matthews says. “I taught myself how to grow my own food, and I think it sparked something inside of me.”
Matthews, along with her husband Eric, is a first-generation farmer. They didn’t inherit land or a family tradition of agriculture—they built Twin Oak Farms from the ground up, turning a dream into a thriving urban farm.
Matthews emphasizes that farming is demanding.
“It’s hard work, 12-hour days. We’re organic, we do it without the chemicals, without the pesticides, without the herbicides, so that we can have quality food, not just for me but for my community,” she explains.
Her dedication comes at a critical time: Black farmers make up only about 2% of all U.S. farmers, and the USDA reports that nearly 90% of Black-owned farmland has been lost over the last century.
Despite these challenges, Matthews remains optimistic.
“I hear the woes about the funding, but I do believe that one monkey doesn’t stop the show, you know. You still gotta persevere. We are resilient, we could pivot, but I think collectively is where we make the impact.”
Twin Oak Farms is more than just a farm—it’s a source of fresh, locally grown food for the community and an example that farming is accessible to anyone willing to put in the work.
For Matthews, the farm is personal.
“I remember spending thousands of dollars on organic food, but now we don’t have to do that. Everything that I eat, I grow. And if I can’t, I barter with other Black farmers who are doing this on larger scales. It’s quality meat, milk, honey.”
She is now looking for new land to expand Twin Oak Farms, with hopes of encouraging even more people to get their hands dirty and discover the rewards of farming.
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