Storytime
At Mama Kuku’s Homestead, the pilot site of EscarGrow™ (patent pending), I’m connecting the dots between climate, culture, and the kind of design work that actually gives a damn.
I’m Ozi Manning — artist, systems thinker, and inventor.
This is my journey . . .
Allies in the work
Gather ‘round… All over the world, there are foundations, funds, and alliances investing in soil, stories, food, and community power.
This is a live list of allies in the work: funders whose stated priorities overlap with the world we’re building.
Okay, now things are getting interesting
Between family, physical therapy, the economy, and surveys, it’s been a season of pivots. Let’s catch up!
🧚🏾Here I was thinking we’re the first snail farm in Texas
Every shift is an act of listening, responding to community needs, and refining the mission in real time. Transparent iteration isn’t just my process; it’s what designers do.
🎨 Between the brushstrokes: painting through the noise
In the thick of designing sustainable food systems and snail-powered compost tech, I return to painting as ritual, release, and rhythm.
🏡When the snails came indoors — for science
From a napkin sketch over miso soup to a smart, sealed, snail farm that’s… well, kind of cuote. Voice-controlled. Compact. And ready to harvest. . .
Curious how carrot peels turn into escargot and compost, no acreage required?
👀Peek inside the patent-pending EscarGrow design process:
🤷🏾♀️Why are Africans in the U.S. afraid to farm snails?
I’m Ozi Manning— a Nigerian woman who invented the first patent-pending snail-harvesting/composting system in the U.S. Let’s get into it!
(Pictured: screengrab of @Princess Xena “MUKBANG| Peppered SNAILS & Asung. I did Love Prank on My Husband😅”)
👵🏾The story of Mama Kuku’s Homestead
Imagine this: In Amuzi, Nigeria, my paternal village, a gentle mist hangs in the air as I awaken. I’m nine years old, nestled in the warmth of my bed, slowly becoming aware of the world around me. The soft patter of rain mingles with the distant crowing of roosters.