The loss of agricultural land among black farmers

Western Journal of Black Studies, The, Summer, 2006 by Edmund Merem

Section 4

Land Retention Efforts and Success Stories at the Margin

This section analyzes the land retention efforts and success stories at margin. This is based upon the efforts made by the Federation of Southern cooperatives in preventing the loss of agricultural land within the African American farming community. The analysis covers such themes as concerns, initiatives, sustainable farming and education as well as the exposure of Black farmers to global market.

Genesis and Concerns of the Federation of Southern Cooperative

In terms of history, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives as a major community organization was established in 1967 with headquarters in Epes Alabama. With its genesis tied to the civil right struggles of the 1960, today the Federation stands as a legitimate icon of the movement. Currently the federation runs a multi-racial, community-based cooperative economic movement for 25,000 low-income families in over 100 communities throughout the rural South. (Townes 1997). The organization has a strong commitment towards the problems of poor Black farmers, and sustainable development of the remaining land base of African American. The Federation stands as a cooperative with organizational and individual membership. The organizational membership of the association in Alabama consists of the Tuskegee Panola Land Buying Association, the York Marengo County Farmers Association and the Prichard Claiborne Catfish Cooperative (Townes 1997).

Land Retention Initiatives

Numerous efforts by the Federation of Southern Cooperatives to remedy the problem of landlessness, has resulted in a considerable reduction in the incidence of land loss experienced by Black farmers in counties under the jurisdiction of the Federation, (Zippert 2002). From 1993 to 1994, the Federation provided land retention assistance to more than 200 landowners, who owned a combined total of 24,000 acres of land. Of that amount, they succeeded in saving almost 17,500 acres with an estimated value of $8.75 million. The Federation also organized well over 400 community meetings and workshops across the rural South for more than 5,000 small family farmers who collectively own 300,000 acres. Another twisting to the efforts of the federation in helping farmers retain land comes from its efforts in connecting rural and urban communities. The federation facilitates urban linkages for rural farmers lacking access to markets within inner cities where quality food and nutritious produce are often lacking due to exorbitant prices.

Sustainable Farming and Educational Activities

For years, the farmers under the guidance of the federation had operated organic type of farms. Nonetheless, little did they realize the potentials of raising more revenues from marketing their crops as environmentally friendly products. Convinced that much will be gained by embracing an environmental approach as part of its ongoing activities, the Federation assisted farmers on how to shift from chemical-based to sustainable farming and how to market organic agricultural products to the public (Townes 1997). Other major activities include its Rural Training and Research Center at Epes, which offers year-round training in farm management. Federation staff also produces many training materials, including the "Land Loss Prevention Manual" and "Descent and Distribution" a primer on writing wills in such a way to keep farmland in the family as well as reports on sustainable agriculture techniques (Paige 2002).