The Resurgence of Black Farming

03/22/22 • 33 min

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It’s been a few generations since the Great Migration, and we starting to see a resurgence of African-Americans deciding to return to agriculture and take up farming. On this episode, Deb speaks to current farmers about the reasons they farm, and how they are working to change the difficult relationship between Black Americans and farming. We hear from Ashlee Johnson-Geisse of Brown Girl Farms about why she decided to start a farm in the middle of the 2020 lockdown, Kamal Bell of Sankofa Farms about how his farm's youth programs support his community, and finally Olivia Watkins of the Black Farmer Fund about how she's helping Black farmers become financially sustainable.

Setting the Table is part of Whetstone Radio Collective. Learn more about Setting the Table here.

Find show notes here.

Setting the Table is part of Whetstone Radio Collective. Learn more about Setting the Table here.

Find show notes here.

Previous Episode

What happened to Black farmers?

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African Americans have always had a complicated relationship with farming, despite being the backbone of America’s early agricultural industry, only 1% of farmers in the country are currently African American. On this episode we hear from African American Studies professor Dr. Valerie Grim, policy expert Eloris Speight, and renowned writer Natalie Baszile, as we explore the history of African Americans and agriculture, from enslavement and sharecropping, to the systemic challenges that Black Farmers still face today.

Setting the Table is part of Whetstone Radio Collective. Learn more about Setting the Table here.

Find show notes here.

Next Episode

Let's Talk about Black Brewing & Distilling

African American foodways have not only influenced the way that Americans eat, but also how we drink as well. This episode will explore the stories and legacies of Black brewers and distillers. Mount Vernon's Steve Bashore shares the history of the enslaved-distillers who made George Washington's Whiskey, Historian Theresa McCulla recounts the story of Patsy Young, a runaway slave who was also a brewer, Victoria Eady Butler of Unlcle Nearest shares her experiences carrying on the legacy of her Great-Great-Grandfather Nearest Green, and Kim Harris of Harlem Hops tells us how she and her team are supporting diversity to the craft brewing industry.

Setting the Table is part of Whetstone Radio Collective. Learn more about Setting the Table here.

Find show notes here.