Latest news with #AmericanSouth
Fox News
25-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Righteous harvest: How faith and farming can help us live the American dream
In America's farm country, there is a steady heartbeat that pulses throughout the fields—the faith community. It's not confined to Sunday sermons or midweek Bible studies. It's in the calloused hands that till the land, in families who pray over the crops, and in pastors who bless the harvest. As a small farmer from Georgia, rooted in faith, family, and the rich soil of the American South, I know how powerfully faith and farming walk hand in hand. The Word of God tells us in James 2:26, "Faith without works is dead." On American soil, those works take the form of plowing fields, planting seeds, harvesting crops, and stewarding the land. As we look ahead to America's 250th anniversary in 2026, we must pause to reflect on the role that faith and agriculture played in building our great nation. From the Revolution to Reconstruction, from the Dust Bowl to the Civil Rights Movement, farmers of faith haven't grown just crops—they have grown courage, resilience, and community. Historically, the bond between farmers and churches has been more than symbolic—it is practical. In colonial times, the church was often the first public institution built in rural communities, meeting spiritual needs and serving as a hub for news, markets, and mutual aid. Black churches, in particular, were bedrocks of resilience, preaching the Gospel while helping families survive through farming and food programs during Jim Crow and beyond. On my family's farm, we proudly carry that legacy forward. We grow hydroponically, cultivating herbs, vegetables, and even butterflies with prayer at the root of every crop. We share our harvest with our church, using food not just to nourish, but as an educational tool. But we must think beyond our own fields. Across the country, the partnership between farmers and faith institutions can tackle important challenges. One important challenge is addressing food waste. It is unacceptable that over 30 percent of food in the United States goes uneaten, while millions remain food insecure. Some food waste begins on the farm, through both surplus production and also "imperfect"—but otherwise wholesome and nutritious—produce that does not meet cosmetic standards for mainstream shelves. But what the world calls imperfect, God calls usable. This is where farmers and faith leaders can step in together. By partnering with local farmers, faith institutions can help redirect unsold produce to those in need, turning what would have been waste into nourishment and hope. Imagine churches hosting community dinners using donated ingredients. Picture youth ministries learning to cook fresh, local meals. Further, faith institutions can also spread the word about community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Off the farm, faith institutions can work with restaurants, caterers, campuses, and hotels to recover non-perishable and unspoiled perishable foods, provided food safety guidelines are met. They can collect and coordinate the donation of items across communities, helping ensure good food reaches people, not landfills. To make it easier, liability protections exist for those seeking to make good faith donations of food to nonprofit organizations like churches. These efforts restore more than nutrition. They restore dignity and connection. They show people where their food comes from and remind them that every harvest is part of something sacred. This is a vision championed by the America First Policy Institute, where I serve as chair of the American Dream Coalition. We believe in empowering families, promoting self-sufficiency, and reigniting prosperity for the one-blood human race, especially in rural and underserved communities. Initiatives that unite farmers and churches align with that mission and offer the kind of grassroots revival our country urgently needs. When churches embrace and support agriculture, whether by reducing food waste or simply sharing a harvest, they reaffirm biblical truths about stewardship, generosity, and compassion. And when farmers partner with churches, they discover renewed purpose in using their bounty to serve others. My uncle, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." I say faith matters. Farming matters. And when you bring the two together, you do not just grow crops. You grow hope. So let us not grow weary. Let us sow with intention. Let us water these partnerships with prayer and reap a harvest of blessing and prosperity for our communities. Faith and farming, together, can help us live out the true promise of the American Dream. These are my personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Agriculture or the U.S. Government.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Music with Kirsten Zemke
This audio is not downloadable due to copyright restrictions. Kirsten brings us some "swamp rock" - a genre that emerged in the American South, particularly Louisiana and Mississippi in the early 70s. Muddy Waters Photo: Wiki commons
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
All the Tea on the New Pope's Black, Creole Roots
As the world continues to celebrate Pope Leo XIV as the new leader of the Catholic Church, there's one important thing folks should know about him. On Thursday (May 8), Leo was named the first American-born pope in history. But his lineage has deeper ties to the intricate fabric of the Black American South. Born Robert Francis Prevost, Pope Leo XIV represents a new wave of leadership. The pope not only made history as a Chicago-born leader, but according to genealogists, he comes from a family reflective of the racial complexities in the country. Of course, he identifies as white, but his family history shockingly ties him directly to Black and Creole communities in Louisiana. A genealogist with the Historic New Orleans Collection, Jari C. Honora, made the discovery the same day Leo XIV was named pope. And the pope's older brother, John Prevost, who still lives in Chicago, confirmed the bombshell findings to the New York Times shortly afterwards. 'This discovery is just an additional reminder of how interwoven we are as Americans,' Honora said late Thursday. 'I hope that it will highlight the long history of Black Catholics, both free and enslaved, in this country, which includes the Holy Father's family.' According to his findings, the pope's maternal side can be traced back to the 1840s' 'free people of color' in New Orleans— a city with a significant Catholic population— Honora told Forbes. Pope Leo XIV's maternal grandparents and his mother's older siblings, were 'identified in records as Black or mulatto' in historic documents, although they 'passed … into a white racial identity' after moving to Chicago. That's where Leo's mother, Mildred Martinez, was born in 1912, according to her birth certificate obtained by the New York Times. But before the family migrated north, the pope's grandparents lived in New Orleans' Seventh Ward, an historically Black neighborhood which has a 74 percent Black population, according to Honora said on Facebook, 'His grandparents were married in 1887 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Annette Street. In 1900, his grandparents owned and lived at 1933 North Prieur Street, a site taken by the Claiborne overpass.' Pope Leo XIV hasn't publicly spoken about his heritage. And as far as we know, he identifies as white and Peruvian, as he is a naturalized citizen of the country, according to Honora weighed in on the complex question to Black Catholic Messenger. 'It's more complicated than that,' he began. 'I think that a person can be of Black ancestry or have Black roots, but to identify as Black, I think, is all about the lived experience.' For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
1st regional Michelin Guide for the American South launched to honor top southern cuisine
The first regional Michelin guide of top restaurants in North America is heading for the Southeast, and its anonymous inspectors are already in the field. This new Michelin Guide American South, announced Wednesday, will cover six states: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. It will also encompass a pre-existing Atlanta, Georgia, Guide. The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp is partnering with the state of Tennessee in support of the American South project, said Deana Ivey, NCVC's president and CEO. "We are thrilled that for the first time our Nashville restaurants have the opportunity to be considered by the prestigious Michelin Guide, which reflects the incredible talent and creativity found across our culinary scene,' Ivey said. 'While we're known globally for our music, our restaurants and chefs have earned national acclaim and are consistently honored among the best in the country. Recognition by the Michelin Guide would further cement our reputation as a must-visit destination for food lovers.' The full 2025 restaurant selection will be revealed later this year during the annual Michelin Guide ceremony for the American South. No further details have yet been released about the ceremony. The Michelin Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage tire sales by giving practical advice to French motorists. It remains a stalwart source for identifying some of the best restaurants in the world. More: A Nashville Michelin Guide? Chefs say they'll be ready if expansion continues South Though the Michelin Guide covers restaurants from casual to fine dining in its search for broader excellence, its coveted Michelin Stars are reserved for the highest in culinary excellence. According to a media statement from Michelin North America, Inc., the new regional approach allows the guide to better uncover the authentic food culture of the American South, outside of its main urban centers. 'We are excited to embark on this new journey for the Michelin Guide as this will be the first time since the Guide's North American debut in 2005 that we are launching a regional selection,' International Director of the Michelin Guides Gwendal Poullennec said. 'The cuisine of the American South is a unique product of diverse influences creating an iconic array of specialties prepared by proud and impressive culinary talent.' The South is a treasure trove of unique culinary culture, from the food of the Gullah-Geechie in the Lowcountry to, yes, Nashville hot chicken. The move to focus on such vibrant regional food is long overdue. "Our region has long deserved global recognition for its extraordinary farm-to-table cuisine, world-class seafood, and rich food culture — crafted by some of the world's most creative and talented chefs,' Travel South USA President Liz Bittner said. 'We couldn't be prouder to be the first region in the country to showcase our culinary assets in big cities and small towns on a global stage." More: A guide to Nashville's James Beard-nominated chefs and restaurants The Michelin Guide is a selection of restaurants that display culinary excellence, based on Michelin's historical methodology. Restaurants must display quality products, harmony of flavors, mastery of cooking techniques, the voice and personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine, and consistency between each visit and throughout the menu. Often, the Michelin Guide has relied on local tourism organizations to support the cost of creating and promoting the guides. Korea paid the company nearly $2 million to bring the guide to Seoul in 2016. A Michelin Star is awarded annually to restaurants deemed by the guide's anonymous judges as displaying mastery of the five criteria required to make it into the guide. Since the early 20th century, inspectors have crowned restaurants with one, two or three stars. A Michelin Star awards the food on the plate and does not take into account the restaurant's style or formality. The awards are handed out annually to the best restaurants around the world. A Michelin Star is one of the most coveted culinary achievements a chef can attain. According to the Michelin Guide, there is no secret mathematical formula; they're just looking for really great cooking. Some Michelin-starred restaurants are innovative, some traditional, some prix fixe and some a la carte. "All we are saying is 'these are the restaurants with the best food, where you will enjoy the most outstanding culinary experiences,'" the guide says. "It is then up to the reader to choose the one that best suits their needs/preferences." Mackensy Lunsford is the senior dining reporter for The Tennessean. You can reach her at mlunsford@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 1st regional Michelin Guide to highlight Southern food, restaurants
