HVADC Client: Moor Acres Farm

When Yemallah El and her husband, Akwa Azeem Bey, envisioned Moor Acres Farm, they saw more than soil and seeds — they saw healing. Today, nestled on 13.07 acres in Sullivan County, Moor Acres supplies botanicals for their wellness brand, Yemallah Naturals, blending traditional indigenous knowledge with modern farming techniques to create a resilient agricultural system.

In 2024, Yemallah (or Nu, as most people know her) joined the HVADC BIPOC Microloan Accelerator program, where she worked closely with HVADC advisors Kim Hickock and Anita Pierce to refine Moor Acres’ business strategy and prepare to access capital through the HVADC Agribusiness Loan Fund and beyond.

We spoke with Nu to learn about her journey in building this purpose-driven enterprise.

What shaped your path to where you and your business are today?

Our journey was shaped by a profound ancestral calling to return to the land and reclaim our natural connection with it. As Moorish Americans, we honor a legacy of stewardship, sustainability, and holistic wellness that has been passed down through generations.

A major turning point for us was becoming more conscious of what we were putting into our bodies and the impact it had on our health and spirit. That shift sparked a strong desire to grow our own food — to truly know where it came from, how it was grown, and be intentional with how we nourish ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.

What prompted you to apply for the BIPOC Microloan Accelerator program?

We applied because we understand the importance of equitable access to funding and resources, especially for historically marginalized communities. As Moorish farmers, we’ve built our operation with limited outside support, relying on personal sacrifice and the wisdom of our ancestors.

This program offers a meaningful opportunity to strengthen our infrastructure, grow our capacity, and expand our reach. With the support of initiatives like this, we can invest in essential tools, equipment, and systems to grow more food, serve more families, and build long-term sustainability for our farm and community.

How has assistance from the BIPOC Accelerator Program helped your business?

We developed a clear business plan and a thoughtful marketing strategy that reflects our values, mission, and identity. These tools gave us direction, clarity, and confidence to approach new opportunities with purpose and professionalism.

Kim and Anita were genuinely invested in our success. They took the time to understand our story and community, and helped us shape our messaging, define our customer base, and position our farm business in ways that resonate. Their support helped us move from intention to structure.

This kind of tailored, hands-on assistance was an incredible asset, and we’re deeply grateful for the foundation it helped us build.

What key challenges did you face creating this new business, and how did you overcome them?

One of the greatest challenges we faced in building our farm was limited financial resources and the learning curve of navigating funding systems as a startup. Accessing capital as new farmers can be difficult.

As Aboriginal Moorish Americans, we also face cultural and systemic barriers. There is a lack of culturally relevant technical assistance for farmers like us, resources that reflect our values, traditions, and relationship with the land.

Underrepresentation in farming spaces can feel isolating. It reinforces the need for us to carve our own path, building while learning, teaching ourselves, and leaning on our community for strength. We continue to push forward with purpose, rooted in our identity and committed to our vision of food sovereignty, healing, and empowerment.

What advice would you give to other BIPOC agribusiness entrepreneurs considering a similar path?

Stay rooted in your purpose and culture — let your identity guide you, not limit you. The path is not always easy, especially with limited access to land, capital, and culturally relevant resources.

Start where you are, with what you have. Don’t be discouraged by a lack of funding or training. Seek out programs and people who understand your journey. Don’t be afraid to take up space in rooms where your voice is needed.

Most importantly, protect your values. It can be tempting to adjust your mission to fit outside expectations, but staying true to your cultural practices, spiritual connections to the land, and community-based approach will give your work lasting impact.

You are not alone, and every step you take helps open doors for the next generation of land stewards, growers, and food justice leaders.

Can you share any memorable moments or success stories since receiving the assistance?

One of our proudest achievements has been the launch of our Botanical Iced Tea line. Made with ingredients from our farm and sweetened with local maple syrup, our first release — Berry Hibiscus Botanical Iced Tea — has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm. We’re excited to expand with new seasonal flavors.

We’ve also expanded our wellness offerings through Yemallah Naturals — our line of herbal skincare and body care essentials. Our Moor Magnesium Healing Body Butter has quickly become a community favorite. People interested in learning more about our products may visit yemallahnaturals.com/mooracresfarm.

A milestone we’re especially proud of is becoming New York State Grown & Certified. This certification affirms our dedication to quality and opens new doors as we grow our value-added offerings.

These successes are more than business milestones — they are affirmations of our mission to cultivate health, honor heritage, and promote healing through the gifts of the earth.

What's something you're looking forward to at Moor Acres?

We’re looking forward to harvesting from our unique and uncommon fruit trees. Each season brings new flavors, and we’re excited to share the rare fruits we’ve nurtured.

We’re also eager to welcome more people to the farm — to see what we’ve built, learn about what we do, and experience the connection between land, culture, and wellness. Community engagement, education, and inspiration are at the heart of our mission.

As we grow, we hope to inspire others to reconnect with the earth, embrace their heritage, and pursue purposeful, land-based living.

Learn more about HVADC’s Business Technical Assistance programs at hvadc.org/business-technical-assistance.