Modern Agriculture: Rooted In Black History

Agriculture simply wouldn’t be what it is today without the legacy of Black farmers. Despite systemic barriers and discrimination, their contributions to farming practices, land stewardship, and food production have had a lasting impact. From innovative farming techniques to advocacy for land rights, Black farmers have helped build the foundation of sustainable agriculture as we know it. They continue to be important advocates in the fight for a fairer, more just food system. 

Black Farmers’ Agricultural Innovations

Many farming techniques that are now considered standard in sustainable agriculture have roots in Indigenous, African, and African American cultures. Indigenous and Black farmers used crop rotation, cover cropping, and soil conservation methods long before they became mainstream. These vital practices help preserve soil health, prevent erosion, and improve crop yields, proving essential for long-term agricultural sustainability.

One of the most notable figures in agricultural innovation is George Washington Carver, a scientist and an agronomist who developed cover cropping and crop rotation as methods to improve soil fertility. He also promoted peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops as alternatives to cotton, helping farmers diversify and restore their land. His work revolutionized Southern agriculture and provided farmers with tools to grow more-resilient crops.

Community Farming: Origins in Black History

Community supported agriculture programs (CSAs) are another important farming practice rooted in Black history. Black farmers have long practiced cooperative farming, where communities work together to share resources, land, and labor. 

Booker T. Whatley, a Black horticulturalist and professor at Tuskegee University, laid the groundwork for CSAs with a first-of-its-kind subscription program in the 1980s. This model enabled Black farmers to sustain themselves in the face of financial challenges and discriminatory policies. 

“The clientele membership club is the lifeblood of the [farm]. It enables the farmer to plan production, anticipate demand, and, of course, have a guaranteed market.”

—Booker T. Whatley to Mother Earth News

These programs are much more than a way to support local farmers—they’re an opportunity to experience new and exciting foods and even connect with the land. Find a CSA near you! 

The Black Farmer’s Struggle for Land Ownership and Rights

Black farmers have faced significant challenges in acquiring and retaining land. After the Civil War, many formerly enslaved people became sharecroppers, trapped in a cycle of debt and economic exploitation. 

Despite these obstacles, Black farmers collectively owned as many as 16 million acres of farmland by the early 20th century. Due to discriminatory lending practices and government policies, however, much of this land was systematically taken away. Throughout the 20th century, Black farmers in the United States lost roughly $326 billion in land.

Today, activists and organizations, including Operation Spring Plant, National Black Food & Justice Alliance, and Liberation Farm, are working to restore land justice and support Black farmers in reclaiming their agricultural heritage. The fight for land access, fair loans, and protection from discrimination continues, aimed at securing a future in agriculture for Black farmers.

Supporting Black Farmers Today

The contributions of Black farmers are woven into the fabric of modern agriculture. These farmers’ resilience, knowledge, and innovations have shaped sustainable farming, food-justice movements, and cooperative-agriculture models. As we honor their legacy, we must also recognize the continued challenges they face and support efforts to ensure equitable access to land, resources, and opportunities for future generations of Black farmers.

We can uplift Black farmers and their work in many ways. Supporting Black-owned farms, advocating fair agricultural policies, and learning about the history of Black agriculture are all ways to help. By acknowledging and addressing past injustices, we can build a food system that values equity, sustainability, and the contributions of all farmers.

Black farmers have shaped agriculture—let’s ensure they have the resources and recognition they deserve.