Manatee V. Smith Jr.

   Manatee V. Smith Jr. Is Our Founder, President & CEO. Manatee has been involved in advocating and organizing for Equal Opportunity, Equitable Economic Development and Wealth Distribution for Under-served Communities rather urban or rural for over 20 years. With a strong background in Urban Ag, Community Development and Revitalization, Manatee has accumulated various certifications, training, and memberships in the field as well as Food Leadership and AgriCluster Resilience and Expansion ( ACRE ). Manatee was also trained and received a certificate of completion by New Jersey Redevelopment Authority in the areas of CDBG and HOME Funds Compliance, Monitoring, and Implementation as well as Project Finance where he learned the redevelopment process to ensure that economic growth in urban community development can be obtained. Manatee attended Morgan State University with a double major in Business Management and Marketing. 

       Harold E. Creacy is our Housing Consultant. Harold after graduating from Morgan State University Mr. Creacy returned to New Jersey and was admitted into Rutgers State University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey.  He received his Juris Doctorate in May 1987 and he was admitted into the New Jersey State Bar in November of that year. He received his LL.M from Robert Traurig -Greenberg Traurig LL.M in Real Property Development Program at the University of Miami which covered areas such as Affordable Housing, Real Estate Development, Land Security and Finance, Planning and Zoning, Housing Law and Policy Harold also received a certificate of completion in Urban and Economic Development from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Harold graduate form Morgan State University as a History Major and Rutgers State University School of Law in Newark, NJ.

Connie is over our Financial Training, Money Management and Technical Training: Microsoft (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), Quickens. With a background in Banking and Finance along with Customer Support. He will be instrumental in providing services, training and financial literacy competencies that will enable our clients to be more efficient in their pursuit of credit worthiness, applying for funding and implementing financial systems to better manage their agribusiness, farm and organization. Connie has a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Finance and Banking Talladega College, May 1995

Kevin was born in Goldwater ,AL and raised in Birmingham Alabama Liaison and Veteran Affairs.He has a background in  food supply chain management  and logistics as well as public relations and communications .He brings  a wealth of knowledge and information that will help our clients grow their business to the next level.Kevin is a team builder that takes pride in helping others.He served in the U.S. Army and was a Regional Manager for a communication company which comprised Alabama,Georgia,Tennessee and Mississippi.

Kevin was born in Goodwater ,AL and raised in Birmingham Alabama .

Russell and Jewell  Awards Winning Farming Experts of  S&B Farms in Eufaula ,AL.They partner, collaborate  and consult with Producers1 Ag Group and Sustainable Solutions. As award wining farming experts and trainers.They were named 2016  Lloyd Wright Small Farmer and 2017 Small Farmers of the Year by Alabama NRCS..They have been featured in several top magazines,newspapers and on televisions stations.Jewell and Russell are finalist for Emerging Leaders In Food & Ag Awards. They received Resolutions from Alabama House of Representatives ,Alabama State Senate and Barbour County Commission for their work as farmers in the community,county,state and region.

They have great working relationships with Tuskegee University,Auburn University,Alabama A&M University  and many other Agriculture Universities throughout  the U.S.They utilize the universities in their training and farm research.

Jewell Bean was a  former Resource  Specialist for Food ,Nutrition ,Health, Youth and Community Development  with Tuskegee University.Jewell is a Agriculture /Business Strategist  Consultant.

Russell Bean was a  former Resource Specialist with Tuskegee University and an Agricultural Consultant/ Speaker.He is a licensed Real Estate Appraiser & Auctioneer as well as a Paralegal in Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation.

L'Tryce Slade Managing Director of SLADE LLC a Minority Woman Owned Business that is certified as a 8(a), HubZone, DBE, MBE, WBENC, EDWOSB 

Slade, LLC is a premier General Contractor in the Building Construction, Environmental Services, Construction Material Testing, Geo-technical in Rural and Urban Planning arenas. Established in 2006, 

In partnership and collaboration with Producers1 Ag Group and Sustainable Solutions. We provide a myriad of services and delivery methods customized to meet the unique demands of individual rural, urban and agricultural projects including construction material testing, facility maintenance, waste management and environmental services with an emphasis on sustainability, climate smart and green solutions. Slade’s team has LEED Professionals who are a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Training and Education

Slade believes that 1) climate, 2) technology and education 3) financing and 4) policy and infrastructure. Slade provides training and education to farmers and producers 1 on 1) climate, 2) technology and education, and 3) policy and infrastructure. Slade addresses soil degradation causing agricultural, industrial, commercial pollution, loss of arable land due to urban expansion, overgrazing, and unsustainable agricultural practices, and long-term climate changes.

Testing

Slade test for the health of the soil. Farming breaks up the soil and destroys the natural structure, killing bacteria and fungi that live in the soil. This makes it easy for soil erosion to occur. Slade can assist with erosion control plans; bio swales; and ponding to control water runoff.

Equity

Slade believes that we need to address pushing Black and Socially Disadvantage Underserved Minority farmers and producers from the land that their families owned to help support their families. There is an economic disparity. There is a need to support Black and Minority farmers and Producers with resources, training, technology, and funding to compete in the heavy technology-based farming environment today. Slade would provide assistance from the environmental, climate and training realm. Slade would provide marketing and public involvement around this effort.