Nicodemus, KS — Over the past 40 days, as the United States and Kansas navigated historic government shutdown, something remarkable was taking place on the open plains of historic Nicodemus. While much of the nation found itself stalled, the Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA), under the leadership of Dr. JohnElla Holmes, CEO and President, pushed forward with bold, transformational progress.
Nicodemus is a place shaped by strength and survival. The early settlers carved dugouts into the earth to withstand harsh conditions; their descendants have maintained that same spirit for generations. Today, that legacy continues in a new form—through high tunnels, sustainable agriculture, and community-centered development.
A Landmark Acquisition: Ernestine’s to Ernestine’s Certified Kitchen
One of KBFA’s most significant achievements during this period was the purchase of Ernestine’s BBQ Restaurant, a beloved local landmark. KBFA has already begun converting the building into KBFA Ernestine’s Certified Kitchen, a modern facility designed to support farmers across the region.
This certified kitchen will allow producers to safely wash, prepare, and package their specialty crops for the market—creating economic opportunity, reducing barriers to market access, and ensuring food safety standards are met. What once was a community gathering place for food and fellowship will now empower growers to build thriving farm businesses.
Steel in the Sky: Two New High Tunnels Rising
Across the same sacred grounds, KBFA also initiated construction on two 20′ x 72′ high tunnels, structures that will dramatically expand growing capacity in Nicodemus. Over the past three weeks, steel frames and wooden supports have steadily risen from the prairie soil, transforming the local landscape. Under the constructive leadership of Robert Urbanek, Master High Tunnel Instructor and newly hired KBFA Farm Managers, Reggie & Theresa Moten, along with numerous volunteers and youth interns, the project is off to a great start.
Standing at sunrise, watching the morning light stretch across open fields and reflect off the newly raised frames, it is impossible not to feel the significance. These high tunnels are more than infrastructure—they are symbols of growth, resilience, and the future of Black agriculture in Kansas.
A Mission Uninterrupted
Throughout the shutdown, KBFA’s purpose remained unwavering:
- Educate farmers
- Provide resources and technical support
- Introducing modern, sustainable agricultural practices
- Help producers not only survive, but thrive
Even as federal operations slowed, KBFA moved forward with determination and vision. These efforts are not just about farming—they are about community empowerment, economic stability, and preserving the legacy of America’s oldest remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi.
Building the Next Chapter of Nicodemus
Nicodemus has always stood as a beacon of Black resilience and ingenuity. Today, KBFA is carrying that torch forward, reinvesting, and reshaping the landscape with projects that honor the past and secure the future.
From dugouts carved into the prairie to high tunnels rising into the sky, KBFA is leading the way in building the next chapter of historic Nicodemus. Thank you for supporting this work, this community, and this legacy.
Written by Tammy Counts, EdD
Director, KBFA USDA Organic Certification Grant, Eastern Kansas Region and Community Liaison
