The Sandhills region has long been recognized by conservationists as one of the most distinctive and endangered ecosystems in North Carolina and the country. Fewer folks, however, are aware of the unique African American culture that flourished in this landscape and exists to this day. The Conservation Fund's Resourceful Communities program helped focus community efforts to celebrate and share this rich heritage.
The Sandhills Family Heritage Association (SFHA) works to preserve that culture, which is inextricably linked to the land and the ability to live self-sufficiently from it. SFHA provides programs and services to build economic self-sufficiency and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of African American families in the Sandhills.
Almost every parcel of land in the historically African American communities of Harnett and Cumberland Counties had an entrepreneurial business attached to it - a barber shop, beauty salon, garage, dressmaker, grocery store, or other business – in addition to local farms. Despite these strong traditions of place-based economic self-sufficiency, land loss and larger economic trends had significantly weakened ties to this practice.
Resourceful Communities helped establish SFHA in 2001, providing direct technical assistance in strategic planning, board development and member-driven program planning. Resourceful Communities continues to partner with SFHA to provide peer learning opportunities, connection to conservation resources, direct program funding and more.
In 2003 The Conservation Fund’s Resourceful Communities Program facilitated asset mapping in the Sandhills region. During this unique effort, Resourceful Communities and SFHA worked to involve all community members. Community outreach and mapping revealed a history of large and abundant African American land holdings that had been lost and a rich history of entrepreneurship. The process also revealed important cultural ties to the area’s rich natural resources.
Today, the Sandhills Family Heritage Association provides programs and services to build economic self sufficiency and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of African American families in the Sandhills. Their work focuses on:
In 2008, SFHA was recognized with the North Carolina Folklore Society’s Community Traditions Award. This annual award recognizes a group’s contributions to the continuation and appreciation of folklife in North Carolina.
For more information on the Community Asset Mapping Project, view the case study »
Learn more about SFHA at www.sfha-nc.org.
Working for more than 20 years in economically distressed communities throughout North Carolina, Resourceful Communities follows the lead and wisdom of local leaders. Learn more about our partners.
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Resourceful Communities has helped partners establish NC's first community forest on a 532-acre parcel in Hoke County. Community forestry engages local partners in planning, management and stewardship. Adjacent to forestlands with the second largest US population of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, this community forest will restore habitat and provide economic, recreational and educational opportunities and more.
Watch the UNC-TV report about Hoke Community Forest and learn about benefits to the community and future plans for the forest.
Powered by: Phase2 TechnologyResourceful Communities Program
The Conservation Fund
Post Office Box 271
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0271
Phone: 919.967.2223
Fax: 919.967.9702
rcp@conservationfund.org