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, let’s 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 acres—that’s less than half a percent of America’s farmland!
Meet Debra Lockard
One of the shining stars of the farming community is Debra Lockard, a third-generation farmer from Glimp, Tennessee. Her family’s land has been cultivated for nearly a century. “My grandad built me a green patch and I love picking mustard greens, turnip greens and right to the day, you can’t get me out of the field on time,” Lockard shared with a smile. Her passion for farming runs deep, and she takes pride in her family’s history. “Like my uncle, my mom, my family, my dad. We don’t sell this land,” she insists.
Paying It Forward
Lockard is not just focused on her farm; she’s also dedicated to recruiting the next generation of Black and women farmers. “I want to serve as a role model, and I have several mentees,” she explains. Among them are Bobby and Derravia Rich, urban farmers making waves in Memphis through their Black Urban Seeds initiative. Bobby says, “Yeah, she’s the OG! OK, so perfect example, you got OGs like Debra Lockard who can literally talk to me and all my millennial farmers.”
Growing Community Through Farming
The Richs started their journey in gardening by growing food for their community in areas like Magnolia and Castalia. “We 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,” Bobby recalled. With their podcast “All in the Farmily,” they aim to create a network of future farmers, bringing together their experiences and insights.
Old Meets New on the Farm
Lockard’s 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, “We lost our connection. We went for the industrial jobs, and we left the farming behind.” 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, there’s 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 “All in the Farmily” podcast by downloading the “Grow Tennessee” app. The conversations are bound to inspire the next generation of farmers looking to reclaim their place in the fields.
