Reviving a Legacy: Black Farmers in Memphis Take a Stand
Big News for Black Farmers
Memphis, Tenn. – This summer, a major milestone has been reached as over 43,000 Black farmers finally received their well-deserved share of a $2.2 billion USDA settlement. This settlement addresses decades of discriminatory loan practices that have plagued the farming community since the early 1900s. Although this influx of cash is a step in the right direction, many believe the payout is coming too late as Black farmers continue to leave the profession in alarming numbers.
A Historic Decline
To put things in perspective, letโs take a trip down memory lane. Back in 1920, there were nearly 950,000 Black farmers in the U.S. Today, this number has plummeted to just over 46,000. In Tennessee alone, there are a mere 1,300 Black farmers left. Once boasting approximately 14-19 million acres of farmland, Black farmers now own around 5.3 million acresโthatโs less than half a percent of Americaโs farmland!
Meet Debra Lockard
One of the shining stars of the farming community is Debra Lockard, a third-generation farmer from Glimp, Tennessee. Her familyโs land has been cultivated for nearly a century. โMy grandad built me a green patch and I love picking mustard greens, turnip greens and right to the day, you canโt get me out of the field on time,โ Lockard shared with a smile. Her passion for farming runs deep, and she takes pride in her familyโs history. โLike my uncle, my mom, my family, my dad. We donโt sell this land,โ she insists.
Paying It Forward
Lockard is not just focused on her farm; sheโs also dedicated to recruiting the next generation of Black and women farmers. โI want to serve as a role model, and I have several mentees,โ she explains. Among them are Bobby and Derravia Rich, urban farmers making waves in Memphis through their Black Urban Seeds initiative. Bobby says, โYeah, sheโs the OG! OK, so perfect example, you got OGs like Debra Lockard who can literally talk to me and all my millennial farmers.โ
Growing Community Through Farming
The Richs started their journey in gardening by growing food for their community in areas like Magnolia and Castalia. โWe would give it to our neighbors, give it to our family members and church members, and before you knew it, people from all over were calling for vegetables and fruit,โ Bobby recalled. With their podcast โAll in the Farmily,โ they aim to create a network of future farmers, bringing together their experiences and insights.
Old Meets New on the Farm
Lockardโs approach combines traditional methods with innovative technology. Recently, her farm saw the installation of grant-funded solar panels and greenhouses that allow her crops to thrive year-round. Additionally, her son is helping explore cutting-edge solutions, like robots for soil testing before planting new crops.
Teaching the Next Generation
Lockard has partnered with another mentee, Daryl Leven, to establish a farming school to help attract more Black farmers to the field. Daryl passionately points out, โWe lost our connection. We went for the industrial jobs, and we left the farming behind.โ He recalls how every family traditionally used to have a garden plot, a tradition that has sadly diminished over the years.
The Landscape Ahead
According to the USDA, Texas leads the nation with over 11,000 Black farmers, while Mississippi and Arkansas also have significant numbers. In a world where Black farmers brought in $2.8 billion in agricultural sales in 2022, thereโs still much work to do. But communities like those in Memphis are paving the way toward a flourishing future for Black agriculture.
Join the Conversation
If you’re interested in learning more about their inspiring journeys, don’t forget to check out the โAll in the Farmilyโ podcast by downloading the โGrow Tennesseeโ app. The conversations are bound to inspire the next generation of farmers looking to reclaim their place in the fields.
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
