Some of our most cherished sustainable farming practices have roots in african wisdom. A black history month reading list centered around food and. As a descendant of black farmers and landowners, i have a. Meet 10 depressionera photographers who captured the struggle of rural america two women and eight men were sent out with their cameras in. February is black history month, and im taking the opportunity to deepen my. Ten books on slavery you need to read politico magazine. At soul fire farm, author leah penniman cocreated the black and latinx farmers. But as will scott points out, when we eat together, we dont. Black farmers in america the university press of kentucky. My food and farm reading list for black history month union of. A landmark 2001 investigation by the associated press into extortion, exploitation, and theft directed against black farmers uncovered more than 100 cases like keenans. In 1920, the 925,000 african american farms represented 14 percent of the farms in america. Black farmers in america, 18652000 usda rural development. Black farmers in america a new book of photographs captures a portrait of america s black farmers at the last moment before they disapear forever.
Save 40% on unc press books during our american history sale. According to the 2012 census of agriculture, the number of black farmers has increased 12 percent since 2007, but black farmers still make up less than 2 percent of our. The history of american agriculture 17761990 covers the period from the first english settlers to the modern day. These books not only provide important historical context and. Yet, discrimination and violence against africanamerican farmers has led to. This book covers the basics on raising chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep, and cattle both dairy and beef.
Organic and sustainable farming are methods driving that change, but persistent obstacles remain. In 1920, black americans made up 14 percent of all farmers in the nation, and they owned and worked 15 million acres of land. Steven hahns pulitzerprize winning a nation under our feet. The 10 best small farming and homesteading books of 2020. See more ideas about african, american and black history. Isabel wilkerson, the first african american woman to win a pulitzer prize in journalism, documented these movements in her 2010 book, which involved 15 years of research and interviews with 1200. Farming while black by leah penniman chelsea green publishing.
Dispossession pete daniel university of north carolina press. Between 1940 and 1974, the number of african american farmers fell from. Yet, discrimination and violence against africanamerican farmers has. Farming also allowed black families to move into other businesses, from funeral homes to preaching to construction, and thus served as the bedrock of all black wealth in america. Black farmers are sowing the seeds of health and empowerment. Sadly, things turned for the worse, as 600,000 black farmers were forced off their land, with only. According to the 2012 census of agriculture, the number of black farmers has increased 12 percent since 2007, but black farmers still make up less than 2 percent of our nations farmers as a whole. Books on african american farming to add to your library. Join the national black farmers association nbfa in the fight against hunger, prevent land loss, and secure food sovereignty. Meet 10 depressionera photographers who captured the. An excellent introduction to keeping chickens for eggs, especially appropriate for the urban or suburban farmer. Shop for books at and browse categories like young adult books, childrens books, mystery books, adult coloring books and cook books. Soul fire farms practical guide to liberation on the land penniman, leah.
Farming while black makes an important contribution to the growing body of literature on black farming and foodways. The book affirms our sacred relationship to the earth and calls for us to move beyond the extractive mindset that guides conventional agriculture and, all too often, organic agriculture. Slavery left a bad taste in most africanamericans mouth when it comes to farming. Discrimination against african american farmers in the. Black farmers in america have had a long and arduous struggle to own land and.
How organic farming is helping black farmers come back to. Awarded aiga 50 books50 covers, for outstanding book design. America s economic foundation, rooted in global textile and consumer products, centered on southern agriculture and black slave labor. The mississippi deltas history of black land theft the. Below are detailed timelines covering farm machinery and technology, transportation, life on the farm, farmers and the land, and crops and livestock. American history ag insider leah penniman on farming while black. Enslaved people in the antebellum south constituted about onethird of the southern population. Book cover of wendell berry the unsettling of america.
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