These 10 Black Farmers On Instagram Are Showing Us How To Reclaim and Grow Our Own Produce
October 20, 2020
Food for us, by us!
Black people have always been connected to the land. For thousands of years before colonization we found ways of cultivating crops on the continent with domesticated rice being used as early as 6000 BC . However, in the United States Black farmers have lost significant land due to systemic racism. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture the number of Black farmers is down to 1% from 15% just a century ago. Nonetheless, like Maya Angelou said, still we rise! Both urban and rural farmers from our communities are creating spaces for Black people to return to our roots and grow our own food.
Here are some Black farmers on Instagram that you can follow to learn or be inspired! We know we’ve missed some, so tag your faves in the comments!
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Our 104th Real Farmer Care recipient is Ashanti Williams @ashantiii23. Ashanti writes, “My name is Ashanti Williams and I am a landless Black farmer. I'm currently stewarding land in a community garden founded by my parents called Taqwa Community Farm in the Bronx. Taqwa was developed in the early 90’s in an effort to provide a safe haven for community members with access to local fresh fruits, vegetables and eventually fresh eggs. I’ve been passionate about raising animals for the past five years, and my passion became the most pronounced after taking over raising the layer hen operation at Taqwa. About three years ago I was presented with the opportunity to transition from urban to rural farming through an apprenticeship raising icelandic sheep in Minnesota. I knew I had found my calling after having the opportunity to live life on the farm and my desire to work with and learn about other species of livestock took off. I continue learning and seeking out different opportunities moving forward. Overall I am grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way over the past few years but they have come at a cost and I've been struggling to figure out how to address these issues. As a Black woman farming in the rural predominantly white spaces where most of these apprenticeships have taken place, I’ve been the only Black person/Person of Color involved which has led to a range of negative experiences for me from culture shock, microaggressions, and a lack of diversity in the curriculum being taught. To say the least it's been hard. My dream in life is to operate a farm of my own working with a collective of folk who work together to teach BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farming techniques and history through a more truthful lens about the history of agriculture in America. We remain resilient in spite of the horrendous history of the enslavement of African peoples, and the genocide of Indigenous peoples. I want to teach a curriculum that uplifts the resilience that was developed as a result of and in spite of those experiences.” Venmo @ Ashanti-Williams-5 GoFundMe link @ashantiii23 . #realfarmercare #blackfarmers #bipocfarmers #blackfarmersmatter
A post shared by Clara Coleman (@realfarmercare) on Aug 17, 2020 at 5:21am PDT
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Savoring the magic of the garden, @hillhousevintage style 😂 I love checking in on the green bbs 🌱 first thing in the morning with a cuppa tea. When I snapped these photos, the Napa cabbage, Tatsoi and Tuscan kale seedlings were barely visible. Even back then, I was so excited for what was to come. Now, less than two months later, I’m typing this whilst soaking the Tatsoi and kale ahead of tonight’s dinner (swipe for a peek) It’s true: what you nourish will flourish. This week, I hope you pour as much into yourself as you do into everyone around you. Happy Sunday from @thebrigarden, your friendly (and edible) reminder to make hay while the sun is high. I hope you’re able to cherish the tiny pleasures of summer, right now, and grow where you are. ☀️ -Bri
A post shared by Brionna Jimerson (@brionnajay) on Jun 21, 2020 at 1:18pm PDT
How can you help Black farmers?
Consider donating unused land or space for them to use.
Buy from Black farmers at your local markets and around your city.
Find nonprofits like the National Black Farmers Association and charities that are there to help them.
Use your social media platforms to spread the word to your community.
Keep it growing, everyone!
Photo Credit: @bweza/@afrovegansociety/@ronfinleyhq/@botanically_bri_/@sankofafarms/@msassociationofcooperatives/@f.a.r.m.s/@newbrooklynfarms/@real.at.tiffanys/@realfarmercare/
