Peace. I’m Maurice.
Forget about the early bird; have you thought about life from the worm’s perspective?
Have you taken a moment to consider the basic fundamentals of how everything is interconnected, and how growing food isn’t just about how you nurture your garden, but how your garden nurtures you as well? Take your hand and place your palm against the soil. Can you feel the simple active world that operates underneath our feet without us evening realizing it’s there?
Whether you are an individual who wants to learn how to grow herbs in your kitchen window, or someone who is tired of going to the grocery store and knows growing your own food is key, or you are part of an entire school district that wants to develop the next generation’s skills to cultivate the future of farming, or you work with a community organization, business or government that wants to add food systems creation to their commitment to the greater good, my teachings are the same: SOIL IS LIFE AND I CAN SUPPORT ANYONE (WHO SHARES THE VISION) TO GROW GOOD FOOD.
At an early age my parents taught me the value of good food and taking care of the earth, powerful lessons that I integrate into everything I do. I have launched hundreds of farms and gardens and trained thousands of people in my career. Everyone I work with, train, or advise leaves inspired and equipped to step into a new level of connection with the Earth, plants, and food (systems). I am grateful to have over 3 decades of seasoned wisdom and deep knowledge of growing food (systems) to share with you.
I look forward to working with you.
LET’S GROW GOOD FOOD TOGETHER.
A Little More About Me and My Work
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Maurice Small inherited his profound respect & love for the earth from his parents. This love for natural process and growth fuels Maurice's efforts to build community as he cultivates a regional and national vision for sustainable agriculture, healthy lifestyles in underserved communities & urban/rural collaboration between growers & vendors. Maurice works to transform the food landscape in North America via regional initiatives that create and rebuild local food systems. Maurice's success rests upon dynamic collaborations with counties, cities, community- and faith-based organizations, non-profits, schools, block watch groups, youth groups, and anyone with the will to transform their community.
Maurice’s message of transformation and commitment to youth, soil and food has been shared with the following communities: Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, Pittsburgh, PA, Youngstown, OH, Cleveland, OH, Detroit, MI, Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL, Toronto, Canada, Wilmington, NC, Raleigh, NC, Durham, NC, Charlotte, NC, Greenville, NC and Atlanta, GA. Maurice has also been heard on radio stations WCPN 90.3FM, WRUW 91.1FM, WCSB 89.3FM in Ohio & on Mississippi radio stations WJSU and WMPM. He’s been featured in The Plain Dealer, The Free Press, Rodale News, Raleigh News & Observer, The Indie Weekly (North Carolina), WVIZ (Cleveland Public Television) & countless internet blogs. Maurice’s photographic work was published in the 2008 publication of Instructions from The Cook: Recipes for New Conversations, by George Nemeth & Jack Ricchiuto. Maurice was awarded the Organic Pioneer Award by the Rodale Institute in its inaugural year, 2011.
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Organic Pioneer Award Recipient, The Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA, September, 2011 (inaugural year)
Permaculture Design Certification Course (with Darren J. Doherty), Oberlin, OH, 2008
Representative to Terra Madre event, Italy, October 2004.
The People’s University, Cleveland, OH
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“Instructions from The Cook: Recipes for New Conversations.” Nemeth, George, Ricchiuto, Jack and Small, Maurice. Designing Life Books, Cleveland, OH, 2008.
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Coffee and Brewing Companies
Atlanta Brewing Co.
Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters
Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Hodge Podge Coffee
Java Cats
Scofflaw Brewing
Spiller Park Coffee
Non-Profits
Atlanta Tool Bank
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lorain County
Boys & Girls Clubs of The Triangle
City Fresh
Foodwell Alliance
Free 99 Fridge
Greening Youth Foundation
Groundwork Atlanta
Groundwork USA
Growing Power
Habitat for Humanity Charlotte
Habesha Works
Historic Westside Gardens ATL
Lorain County Urban League
NC Fair Share CDC
New Agrarian Center
North Carolina Rastafari Union
Southern SARE
West Atlanta Watershed Alliance
YMCA
Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
Cities
City of Atlanta, GA
City of Cleveland, OH
City of Youngstown, OH
Regional Institutions
Metro Health, Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Clinic, OH
Cleveland Metropolitan School District, OH
Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, OH
Churches
Christ Church, Strongsville, OH
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA
The House of the Lord Church – Oberlin, OH
Colleges/Universities
DePaul University
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland State University
Lorain County Community College
Michigan State University
Morehouse School of Medicine
North Carolina Central University
Oberlin College & Conservatory
Ohio State University
Spelman College
St. Augustine University
Wayne State University
Restaurants
A Spice of Life Catering Events
Agave
Black River Café
Café Symmetry
Ebrik Coffee Room
Fahrenheit Cleveland
Flying Fig
Lola
Lucky’s Café
Melt
Noodlecat
Root Café
Smokey Mango
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant South
The Greenhouse Tavern