Minority Perspectives on Farming, Food, and Agriculture

MoJnar, Joseph J.; Thompson, Alton; Beauford, E. Yvonne

doi:10.1525/cuag.1988.9.36.1

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…USDA refers to these producers-Black farmers-as socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. 1 In studying Black farmers and ranchers, 2 scholars have focused on the skewed demographics in agriculture (Horst & Marion, 2019;Luster & Barkley, 2011;Molnar et al, 1988), the relationship between heir property and race (Balvanz et al, 2016;Dyer & Bailey, 2009;Gilbert et al, 2002), Black farmers' relationship with USDA (Cowan & Feder, 2013;Dishongh & Worthen, 1991;Tyler & Moore, 2013;Tyler et al, 2014) and the need for structural and practical changes in agriculture and federal farm programs (Brown et al, 1994;Grant et al, 2012). There is also an existing and growing body of research highlighting the works of resistance, activism, and pursuits of justice through agriculture and food systems by farmers of color (Alkon & Agyeman, 2011;Thompson, 2011;White, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

"Not a new pattern": Black farmers' perspectives on barriers to participating in federal farm programs

Russell

Hossfeld

Méndez

2021

J. Agric. Food Syst. Community Dev.

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Although there are more opportunities and revamped avenues for socially disadvantaged farmers to participate in federal agricultural program since Pigford v. Glickman, the first Black farmer class action lawsuit against USDA and subsequent billion dollar settlement, there is not a lot of scholarly research on Black farmers’ perspectives and experiences in accessing and using these programs today. Using data from nine focus groups in Mississippi with 89 Black farmers, we find that Black farmers and ranchers identify several barriers to program participation, namely communication about programs and problems with the application and approval process, including a lack of standardization and transparency. Interwoven throughout the discussions of barriers were conversations about racial and gender discrimination, with producers soundly in agreement that the former persists, and the latter is an issue. This research informs our understandings of Black farmers’ experiences of how racial hierarchies and networks continue to shape their ability to access and participate in federal farm programs; policy recommendations are provided.

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