Thank you Brother Mel - A Green Legacy

The Urban Farming Institute of Boston (UFI) would like to thank Former State Representative Melvin H. King for his love, his investment, and his many efforts as one of our 2013 founding board members. Like many other community-based organizations UFI grew from an earlier concept that Brother Mel believed in and nurtured. He gave UFI advice that is embedded in its DNA-- from the simple “You don’t call it a Board Retreat if you want to go places—Call it a Board Advance” to the deeply-felt, “Find ways to collaborate, never forget that we’re doing this work to help grow food and feed people”.

He came to endless board meetings and every UFI conference sharing his wisdom and his great hugs. He helped UFI connect with people throughout the city who became strong allies in reframing urban farming and keeping land locally stewarded in our BIPOC communities. He gave pointers about drafting legislation and public policy to make certain it would benefit those who really needed advocates. He was proud of UFI as it became successful, and he was clear that it should strive for service and excellence.

Dear Brother Mel, we are so appreciative of your time and investment. UFI sends its sympathy to your family, and we thank them for all the hours they lent you to the community. UFI, like other organizations, certainly needed your steady hand. May you rest with the ancestors.