Young Black Farmers Energized Despite Land Loss and Racist History

A recent report by the USDA shows a decline of Black farms and producers, but a slight increase in new farmers.

The bleak outlook for Black farmers hasn’t stopped a new generation from entering the profession despite land loss, racism, and continued discrimination.

In the past five years, the U.S. lost 7% of all farms, while Black folks lost nearly 13%, the highest decline among all racial groups, according to data from the recent Census of Agriculture. In contrast, some groups — individuals who are Asian, Hawaiian, or Pacific Islanders — are seeing gains.

Still, Ashley Webb was determined to become a farmer. Growing up, Webb equated farming to white-only because of the images shown to her. The now 41-year-old didn’t think it could be a space for her.

While living in Los Angeles, she saw Black folks riding horses and Ron Finley, a formerly incarcerated Black man, growing food in the strips of land in between sidewalks. She and her husband immediately got inspired and did the same in their neighborhood. Years later, they moved to New Orleans and bought a piece of land to farm in 2017.