"Not a new pattern": Black farmers' perspectives on barriers to participating in federal farm programs

Although there are more opportunities and re­vamped avenues for socially disadvantaged farmers to participate in federal agricultural program since Pigford v. Glickman, the first Black farmer class action lawsuit against USDA and subsequent billion dollar settlement, there is not a lot of scholarly research on Black farmers’ perspectives and experiences in accessing and using these programs today. Using data from nine focus groups in Mississippi with 89 Black farmers, we find that Black farmers and ranchers identify several barriers to program participation, namely communication about programs and problems with the application and approval process, including a lack of standardization and transparency. Inter­woven throughout the discussions of barriers were conversations about racial and gender discrimina­tion, with producers soundly in agreement that the former persists, and the latter is an issue. This research informs our understandings of Black farmers’ experiences of how racial hierarchies and networks continue to shape their ability to access and participate in federal farm programs; policy recommendations are provided.

Motivational factors into agriculture as a career path: narratives of Black emerging farmers as entrepreneurs in South Africa

Purpose The transformation of the agricultural landscape is deemed as an essential nation-building priority in post-democratic South Africa. Part of the activity of transformation is affording disenfranchised groups opportunity to participate in careers where they were excluded. The purpose of the study is to investigate the motivational factors that influenced emerging Black farmers as entrepreneurs to choose agriculture as a career path in post-democratic South Africa. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative study using a semi-structured interview technique. The sample comprised of 29 emerging Black entrepreneurs working within the agriculture context in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Findings Upon analysis, the individual stories of Black emerging farmers as entrepreneurs showed the role of personal influences; the community; the quest for financial influence through economic sustenance; and socio-economic influences as playing a part in informing career entrance into agriculture amongst the Black emerging farmers. Research limitations/implications A limitation, familiar with qualitative research, concerns the use of a small sample size. However, a strength of the study is the in-depth focus, especially through interviews lasting a minimum of 1 h. Practical implications This study answers the call for a contemporary understanding of career processes in professions such as agriculture that have not received attention. This can be a practical basis to encourage more recent entrants into occupations and entrepreneurial pursuits that have been restricted. This study thus offers a practical basis for career counselling interventions in the agricultural space. This includes farmer training and development opportunities and provision of financial support to Black farmers. Social implications The findings offer insight into the role of a range of socially embedded factors and how they influence occupational aspirations and individuals fulfilling their entrepreneurial pursuits. Originality/value This study ignites focus into an under-researched area, especially on the African continent.

Inaccessibility of Market Information and Finances, an Impediment to the Success of Emerging Black Farmers in Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo Province

This study investigated how lack of access to market and lack of finances pose an obstacle to the success of emerging farmers. The aim of the study is to determine/examine factors that lead to the failure of emerging farmers in their farming business. Most of the farmers struggle to not cut their trade into commercial farming due to unavailability of information on market access and finances. The author sampled 16 emerging farmers from Mopani District to partake in this study. Findings from the study showed that emerging farmers had difficulties competing in the market owing to limited or no access to information about market prices, the type and quality of produce expected for the target market needs. Only a few of these farmers can conduct market research, and this leads to a situation where the majority will have to rely on those few for information. Moreover, the difficulties of accessing (credit facilities) funds from financial institutions are also highlighted in the study. Nonetheless, it is without any doubt that emerging farmers do not have same advantages as compared to well established companies. Lack of access to market information and credit facilities has a negative impact on the production of the farmers. However, most of them continue to produce for the locals and their household consumption. Received: 2 December 2020 / Accepted: 3 March 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021

The Battle for Educational Equality in the Postwar New South

Chapter 3 examines how the legal phase of the civil rights movement came together as World War II ended. It highlights Wheeler’s postwar activism and involvement in the battle for black educational equality in North Carolina and the South more broadly. He believed education to be one of the most essential ingredients for achieving the expansion of economic rights. This chapter argues that it was during the postwar period that he articulated his economic vision of New South prosperity to bankers in the Tar Heel State. During the world conflict, M&F Bank purchased war bonds, loaned black farmers money for equipment to support the war effort, and then helped returning black war veterans take advantage of the GI Bill through providing home loans. His embrace of legal tactics helped challenge an unjust educational system that effectively stifled black schoolchildren from learning the skills needed to obtain jobs later. This chapter also explores how Wheeler and others argued for immediate school desegregation directly following the Brown decision.

Ecological costs of discrimination: racism, red cedar and resilience in farm bill conservation policy in Oklahoma

This article makes the case that the legacy of institutional racism by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is connected to the encroachment of the invasive species Juniperus virginiana (eastern red cedar) on farming land. Red cedar's encroachment impacts Black farmers disproportionately in Oklahoma, even as it undermines broader USDA conservation goals and ability to adapt to climate change. As such, this case study illustrates the shortcomings of Farm Bill Conservation Title programs to address ecological issues across the landscape—shortcomings that hinder farmers' ability to carry out long-term adaptation and mitigate risks. Conversely, we show how the work of Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project, Inc. and the Rural Coalition has been vital allies in Black farmers inter-related struggles against racial injustice and red cedar. Thus, we argue community-based organizations have a pivotal, but under-supported, role to play in the shaping and application of farm bill programs and funds.