by Rev. CARROLL C. CARTER
Contributing Advisor to Radio Melrose 96.9 FM
Across America’s fields and pastures, thousands of Black farmers rise early each day to feed a nation that often forgets their struggle. Their story is one of strength, culture, and endurance that stretches from the first days of freedom after slavery to the present day. Despite decades of discrimination, land theft, and unfair treatment, Black farmers continue to plant, grow, and harvest the food that feeds their communities and all Americans.
After the Civil War ended in 1865, many formerly enslaved people saw farming as a path to independence. Owning land means freedom, a chance to feed one’s family and build a future. By 1920, Black farmers owned almost 15 million acres of land in the United States. They made up about 14% of all farmers, working hard to create thriving communities across the South and beyond.
But their success faced strong resistance. Racist laws, violence, and unfair lending practices targeted Black landowners. Many were cheated out of their land or forced to sell at unfair prices. White supremacist groups used threats and violence to drive them away. The promise of land and liberty turned into a long fight for survival.
From the 1920s to today, Black farmers have lost over 90% of their farmland. Much of it was taken through unfair legal tricks, denied loans, or federal policies that favored white farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the very agency meant to support farmers, played a role in this loss. Black farmers were often denied loans, crop insurance, and disaster relief that white farmers received easily.
For decades, Black farmers were left out of programs that kept others in business during hard times. When droughts or floods hit, white farmers got government aid; Black farmers were often told to wait or were simply ignored. This unequal treatment destroyed many family farms and communities.
In 1999, a group of Black farmers won a lawsuit against the USDA called Pigford v. Glickman, proving that the agency had discriminated against them for years. Although the case brought some justice, the payments couldn’t replace generations of lost land and opportunity. Many farmers still struggle to rebuild what was taken.
Today, most Black farmers still do not receive the government subsidies or financial help that many large white-owned farms depend on. Yet they continue to farm, often using sustainable methods passed down through generations. They grow vegetables, grains, and livestock that support local markets, schools, and restaurants. Their work feeds not just bodies but also hope, hope that fair farming can exist in America.
Many of these farmers see their work as a cultural duty. Farming is not just a job; it is a connection to ancestors who survived slavery and injustice through the power of the land. Families teach their children how to plant seeds, care for animals, and protect the soil, skills that represent freedom and self-reliance.
In recent years, more young Black people are returning to farming, inspired by this legacy. They are joining community gardens, buying small plots, and forming cooperatives to share resources. Groups like the National Black Farmers Association and Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association fight for fair treatment and equal access to land and funding.
These farmers are also teaching others about food justice, making sure every community has access to healthy, affordable food. They remind us that farming is not just about profit, but about care for people and the Earth.
The story of Black farmers is a story of endurance. Despite being pushed aside by unfair policies, they continue to grow the food that sustains America. Their hands have tilled the same soil for generations, keeping alive a culture of strength, wisdom, and hope.
As young people learn this truth, they can see that success doesn’t always mean ease or support, it means standing firm in what you believe in, even when the world seems against you. The legacy of Black farmers is one of courage, community, and a deep love for the land that feeds us all.
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