The Young Black Farmers Defying A Legacy of Discrimination

Kendrick Ransome started out farming a few years ago with just a hoe, a rake, and a shovel.

He could have used support getting his hog and vegetable business off the ground, but he was wary of asking institutions for help. “My big brother told me, ‘Stay away from loans,’” said Ransome. In 1925, most farmers in his rural hometown of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, were black. But now, the 26-year-old is an anomaly.

“When they did take out loans and they were unable to pay them back, you lose everything you got — that’s including your farm and your land for your family.”

Ransome’s fear of institutions is based in the centuries of discrimination black farmers have faced across the country. But despite that history, he and other young black Americans are reclaiming the trade.

The forces pushing black farmers off their land in the 20th century were manifold, and the impact was devastating. In 1920, there were more than 925,000 black farmers; by 2017, there were fewer than 46,000, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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[VICENews]

“They're looking for ways to live out their values. And returning to the land is one dramatic way that they can do that.”

[MrLamont]

We need more black farmer's and we to teach the youth how to live off the land.

[xxxxxx-brix]

So much respect for Kendrick and I hope he is successful at producing healthy food for his family and community.

[uwanan]

Omg! I’m feeling very thankful that my family’s 250 acres of land in the Deep South didn’t get taken, though they did try. My great grandfather and family fought hard to keep our land. I wish others could’ve been as fortunate.

[myabbayah]

It always amazes me when people act wierd to stuff that was the norm for our people. Farming is what Black have always done. people need to wake.

[jamerson]

That old man looks amazing to be born in 1947

[tiadeese]

Young farmer to hog: "What's up? You sleep good?" 😭😭😭

[davidmoore]

I'm seeing more Black farms on Facebook these days I'm happy to see it.

[themessengacross]

I've never thought of slavery when I think of Black Farmers... I think of a Black People owning Land

[MsAjefferson]

I am planning on finding my family's land. If land was taken illegally, we have a legal right to get it back.

[lovely-mkrt]

This is brilliant. These people are hard working, caring, good morals and ethics. And very smart. Lovely 🕊

[monaleon]

“ black farmers have always been here “ I felt that ! As a vegan I would to grow my own produce and pass it on to my family

[isabelchaparro]

Being a farmer is an honorable job and I wish this man a healthy harvest. In a time where there are many food deserts that impact POC, black farmers are needed more than ever.

[donavan]

Y’all got to understand, it was never meant for black people to own land, let alone a lot of land. An acre of land isn’t cheap. So when people see us with land in our name, paid for, its makes some people mad/upset. My family owns 50 acres of land that I hunt on, and I thank God for my family holding on to that land. We own land all over but it’s important to keep it. Build on it, hunt it, and keep it in the family.

[jalenharris]

A brother with a lot of land 🤔that is still a dream

[ChosenRas]

Rastafarian’s in the Virgin Islands are all involved in farming and agriculture, farming is a way of their lives 🙏🏾

[ShwagSoLovelyy]

"The land really was the scene of the crime". That truly hit different...

[Chizkey]

Agriculture and Animal farming is a Billion Dollar industry project..

[BothHands]

farming is awesome! my mom has a farm up in north florida, and i absolutely love it there. she'll put me to work, and it's sweaty dirty work, but when you come in and get showered up after a long day transplanting seedlings to bigger pots and mixing up soil with the right amount of fertilizer and stuff, you feel so accomplished. i always got a good night's sleep after a day outside, and while we're mostly focusing on trees for hardwood or decorative palms, the greenhouse has tons of nice veggies. eating a tomato off the vine has a totally different flavor, it's delicious. oh, and there are chickens too, and legit you can taste their environment in the eggs, the hemp bedding they have, and the fresh grass, all the flavors come through in the eggs and it's amazing.

so much respect to this couple, and farmers everywhere. it's hard work, but really important.

[Ochieaunna]

The 551 people who disliked this video are bald headed 👨‍🦲🤣