The history of Black farming in America is marked by resilience and systemic challenges. After the Civil War, many newly freed African Americans aspired to economic independence through Black farming. However, discriminatory policies and practices, such as the broken promise of “40 acres and a mule,” the exploitative sharecropping system, and barriers to land acquisition, significantly hindered these efforts. These historical injustices have contributed to the decline of Black farming, a trend that continues to impact the agricultural landscape today.
The Broken Promise of 40 Acres and a Mule
In 1865, Union General William T. Sherman issued Special Field Order No. 15, allocating 400,000 acres of confiscated Confederate land to newly freed Black families in 40-acre plots. This initiative aimed to provide a foundation for economic self-sufficiency. However, President Andrew Johnson later rescinded this order, returning the land to its former white owners and dashing the hopes of many Black families for land ownership. This reversal eliminated a critical opportunity for building generational wealth within the Black community.
A Closer Look at Sherman’s Field Order No. 15
Sherman’s order was issued on January 16, 1865, during a meeting with 20 Black ministers in Savannah, Georgia. The order was meant to redistribute land along the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coasts to freed slaves. Additionally, it provided the possibility of self-governance, allowing Black families to farm independently without white oversight. This was a radical and progressive step toward racial and economic justice. However, after President Johnson rescinded the order, many Black families were forcibly removed, and white landowners regained their properties.
For more details, you can read the full text of Special Field Order No. 15.
The Sharecropping Trap
Deprived of land ownership, many Black Americans became sharecroppers, renting land from white landowners in exchange for a portion of their harvest. This system often trapped Black farmers in a cycle of debt and dependency due to high interest rates, dishonest accounting, and an imbalance of power favoring landowners. Sharecropping closely resembled the conditions of slavery, severely limiting economic mobility for Black families.
Barriers to Land Acquisition
Even those Black farmers who managed to acquire land faced systemic challenges. Discriminatory lending practices, racist policies, and violent land dispossession hindered their ability to maintain and expand their farms. Black landowners were frequently targeted through legal loopholes, fraud, and outright violence, including lynchings and land theft. Additionally, the federal government systematically denied Black farmers access to credit and subsidies that white farmers received, further crippling their agricultural progress.
The Decline of Black Farmers
At the turn of the 20th century, Black farmers owned over 15 million acres of land. However, by the 21st century, that number had declined to less than 3 million acres. Discriminatory policies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), foreclosure, and urban migration forced many Black farmers out of agriculture.
Today, Black farmers make up less than 2% of all farmers in the United States, compared to nearly 15% in 1920. The ongoing impact of systemic discrimination, including limited access to capital and resources, continues to challenge Black farmers in ways that their white counterparts do not face.
The Role of Cooperatives
Despite these challenges, Black farmers have historically utilized cooperatives as a means to achieve economic independence and collective action. According to the USDA report “Black Farmers in America, 1865-2000”, various types of cooperatives, including farmer associations, were organized in Black farming communities prior to the 1960s. During the civil rights movement, leaders and organizations adopted an explicit purpose and role for Black cooperatives in pursuing independent farming. These cooperatives provided resources, education, and support, helping Black farmers navigate systemic barriers and advocate for their rights.
Addressing Current Challenges
The fight for Black farming and agricultural equity is ongoing. Efforts such as the Justice for Black Farmers Act seek to address the systemic discrimination Black farmers have faced. Additionally, organizations like the National Black Farmers Association are working to provide resources, education, and legal assistance to help Black farmers thrive.
For assistance and resources, Black farmers can explore the following links:
- USDA Minority and Women Farmers Assistance
- National Black Farmers Association
- Land Loss Prevention Project
- Federation of Southern Cooperatives
The decline of Black farming in America is not a coincidence but a result of post-Civil War policies that systematically blocked Black economic independence. From the failure of 40 acres and a mule to the exploitative sharecropping system and limited land acquisition, the barriers Black farmers faced have had lasting effects. Today, reversing this legacy requires policy reform, financial investment, and a commitment to agricultural equity.