For generations, Black farmers have worked the soil in Tennessee, but the number of Black farmers have significantly declined across the United States in the last century.
Part of this is due to institutional discrimination and land distribution policies that favored white farmers and landowners. Land loss among Black farmers far outpaces that of white landowners.
But that hasn’t stopped some Black farmers from living and working on land that has been in their family for generations. In this episode, we have a conversation with Black farmers about their traditions, the challenges they face, and their connection to the earth. We’re also joined by Tennessee Lookout senior reporter Anita Wadhwani about her recent coverage of Black farmers in West Tennessee who are fighting the state over a planned purchase of their land.
Guests:
- Renee Moore Williams, manager of the Moore Family Century Farm in Benton County
- James Butler, raises cattle on Butler Farm in Rutherford County
- John Wesley Boyd Jr, president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association
- Bridget Bryant, farmer and founder of Zysis Garden
- R’yana Michele, co-owner of Water Bear Cooperative
- Finis Stribling, farmer and the director of Tennessee New Farmer Academy
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM