African American and Labor: Honoring the Black Veteran Farmers
The theme for this year’s Black History is “African Americans and Labor.”
Since slavery and every war conflict the country had and still has, African Americans have worked on plantation farms, sharecropped with white farm owners, and farms that were passed down from family member to another family member. However, there are African Americans who have served in the military and are now Black farmers or “Black Producers” that have transitioned to farming after their time in service and are making their mark in agriculture. A lot of Black farmers have been overlooked in agriculture. According to Ms. Anita Milson, president of “Mentorscope Community Outreach,” the impact that veterans have on the agricultural sector is significant. “Our (African American) veterans bring a wealth of experience and resilience to the agricultural community, and they served our country with honor. And now they continue by feeding our nation.”
Black-owned farms make up less than 2% of all the farms in the United States, according to the 2017 Census report of Agriculture (370,619). Cathy Nedd, of Ag Outreach, states that one of the remarkable aspects of the census report is the higher proportion of Black farmers and Black Producers who have military service, at 20%. This statistic highlights the important role Black veterans play in agriculture and their continuing legacy of resilience and contribution.
Besides their military service, Black farmers are older than the average U.S. farmer. Seventy-five percent of these farmers are 65 years old or older. Despite their age, Black farmers manage smaller-than-average farms in both acreage and sales, although their dedication and impact remain great. Black farmers have lost 80% of their farmlands from 1910 to 2007 due to lack of access to loans for farm equipment, fruit and vegetable seeds/plants, livestock, and other necessities to keep their farms operational. Additionally, Black farmers have trouble getting insurance coverage for their farms to protect their investment.
Another reason for lack of support is the unequal treatment and discrimination against Black farmers by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in rural communities. Finally, it is for certain that all Black farmers across the country need our help now more than ever because the farms produce fresh meat, vegetables, and dairy sources to feed civilian communities and military installations worldwide. Lastly, Black veteran farmers made the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedoms. So, for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, and every day throughout the year, please continue to stand and support Black farmers in their daily work on the farms.