✨ Small Business Spotlight: Sanctuary Farms ✨
When thinking about Detroit, farming probably doesn’t come to mind. Two locals, Jon Kent and Parker Jean, are working to change that narrative, while improving their community in the process.
In the midst of the pandemic, lifelong friends Kent and Jean joined forces to bring their shared interests of combatting the climate crisis and promoting localized gardening to life. The two united in Detroit’s lower east side to launch Sanctuary Farms in October 2022. Sanctuary Farms aims to create nutritious compost, cultivate organic produce and provide nature escapes for historically disadvantaged communities to foster a thriving community where people are safe, healthy and connected to their local environment.
“We really see this as community development work and an opportunity to activate and beautify the space so it can be appreciated to its full potential,” says Kent. “For us, there is a natural beauty there that we want to accent and make sure Black people have a space where they can access nature.”
Sanctuary Farms has experienced tremendous growth recently. What started as four vacant lots filled with trash and debris due to years of neglect and illegal dumping is now eight plots used for urban farming and composting. Kent and Jean partner with local farmers to grow a variety of hearty greens, root vegetables, corn and squash at farmers’ markets in Eastern Market, Jefferson-Chalmers and beyond.
Looking to build on recent growth and expand its reach and partnerships in the community, Sanctuary Farms joined the Community Tech Worker program offered by Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI) and the University of Michigan as part of its Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project (DNEP). Officially titled “Building Detroit’s Digital Infrastructure for Small Businesses,” the program aims to provide technology support and training to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Detroit so they can improve their digital operations and presence. Since its launch in 2015, DNEP, with support from JEI, has helped more than 100 businesses in the areas of marketing, design and strategy.
“We have been working to get our produce out in the local restaurants, farmers markets and City Commons CSA, a multi-farm cooperative in Detroit,” said Kent. “The guidance and support we received from JEI and the DNEP program have allowed us the opportunity to connect with new community members and volunteers.”
Sanctuary Farms was introduced to the program by Lutalo Sanifu, JEI’s Director of Neighborhood Resilience, Safety & Business District Services.
“Small businesses play a large role in uplifting our local economy and supporting the local workforce,” says Sanifu. “The Community Tech Worker program and our partnership with the University of Michigan allow us the pleasure of working with local businesses like Sanctuary Farms to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to be successful.”
Kent and Jean have big plans for Sanctuary Farms in the future, including working with the City of Detroit to acquire five additional plots of land and launching their nonprofit Sacred Spaces, which will allow them to be more intentional in giving back to the community.
If you or someone you know owns a small business in Detroit and would like to learn more about participating in the “Building Detroit’s Digital Infrastructure for Small Businesses” program, please email community-tech-workers@jeffersoneast.org or call (313) 887-1775. To sign up for a session please see this link.
