Melvin Parson, a Detroit Native who came to Washtenaw County in 2004 has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University and an Associates degree in Human Services from Washtenaw Community College. Melvin and Aaron Suganuma co-founded a non-profit called A Brighter Way in 2015. Melvin founded the nonprofit farm that became We the People Opportunity Farm in 2018 in the Sugarbrook community. Melvin is a recipient of the Carver-Carson award presented by Washtenaw Community College, and the Equity in Action award presented by the Henry Ford Museum. When Melvin is not farming he enjoys being a father and grandfather as well as participating in RC car racing.
Ypsi Farmers & Gardeners Oral History Project
Melvin Parson
Meet more Farmers
Listen to the oral histories of local Ypsi farmers and gardeners who share stories about how they got started growing food, what the impact of growing food has been for their families and communities, and what lessons they want others to learn from their experiences.