Sustainable agriculture plays a significant role within our society. Because of the importance of sustainability in the future, it is integral that we continue to provide opportunities and resources for sustainable agriculture. However, because of climate changes within the agricultural industry and current societal pressures, there has been a steady decline in small, private sector farmers. Within this decline, none understand the implications more than the African American farming community. A long history of Environmental injustices – coupled with current climate trends – has dramatically decreased the African American farming population. Currently, less than 2% of U.S. producers identify as African American (USDA Census of Agriculture, 2022). Finding ways to mitigate these inequities and ensure African American producers have the resources and knowledge necessary to succeed in the agricultural sector is at the forefront of the KEEP-NC project.
Over the past year, Southeast Raleigh Vicinity Emerging (S.E.R.V.E) and Key Environmental Consulting have been working diligently to address the needs of black farmers in North Carolina. Through this partnership, the KEEP-NC project has held 12 different events exploring various ways to bolster not only the capacity of black farmers, but to simultaneously elevate their knowledge on available USDA resources and programs.
Event | Date | Key Points |
Value-added Products | November 2023 | History of African American Agriculture and how to expand the usage of crops |
Foodbuy Workshop | January 27th | How to break into new markets and effective collaboration |
Blueberry Bush Planting | February 24th | Best practices for growing and maintaining blueberry patches |
G.A.P Certification | March 11th | Technical Assistance on food safety and GAP certified |
Muscadine Vineyard | April 20th | Marketability of grapes in the agricultural industry |
Soil Amendments 101 | May 21st | Importance of soil and cover crops; how to take a soil sample |
Gangstas to Growers | June 29th | Opportunities for at-risk youth in the agricultural sector |
Jacksonville Listening Session | August 28th | Building farmer collective and addressing farmer needs |
Virtual Info-session Meeting | September 17th | Discuss USDA opportunities, farmer needs, expanding networks |
USDA Opportunities Event | October 15th | USDA staff discussed latest news and opportunities |
New and Beginning Farmers Event | November 16th | Soil testing, selecting seeds, and how to find land |
Farmer’s Night Out | December 14th | Networking and collaborative event |
Table 1: KEEP-NC Activities
These events centered around the lived experiences of farmers as well as research on the barriers described by African American farmers that prevent them from taking advantage of government resources. Data compiled by the KEEP-NC team highlighted that a lack of financial resources and a lack of educational information were the two largest barriers for African American farmers in North Carolina.
The next two years of the KEEP-NC project will continue to address these barriers while also developing innovative and specialized training that will build a resilient collective of marginalized farmers. To improve participation among black farmers in USDA programs, we will continue to work closely with USDA contacts and disseminate essential information for available resources and opportunities. As an environmental and technical assistance company, Key Environmental Consulting will develop workshops and training on how to locate, develop, and respond to federal opportunities. Through the hundreds of connections with black farmers, communities, and youth – via the extensive work of S.E.R.V.E. – KEEP-NC has worked with individuals from 15 different counties in North Carolina and has plans to expand reach. The unique combination of farming experience, grant writing, and community engagement enables the KEEP-NC project to address all levels of need and confront the significant social problems in the agricultural sector.
References:
“2022 Census of Agriculture: Black-Operated Farm Size Continues to Grow.” USDA ERS - Chart Detail. Accessed December 17, 2024. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=109325.
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