Today, only 1.4 percent of American farmers identify as Black or mixed race, down from about 14 percent 100 years ago. Systemic discriminatory policies and practices, for example concerning land and financial access, have led to the decline. How can we turn it around, ensuring that Black farmers will be part of a sustainable food system?
Co-founded by Olivia Watkins and Karen Washington, Black Farmer Fund is one organization making progress on this issue. The New York-based non-profit raised its first $1 million fund last year and has disbursed about $600,000 to businesses to nurture Black community wealth and health in the American Northeast.
I checked in with Watkins to understand the lessons she learned along the way and to get her recommendations on how food and agriculture businesses could best support the Black food and farming community.
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