Why Buying from BIPOC Farmers Matters

BIPOC represent nearly one-quarter of the U.S. population, but they operate less than 5 percent of the nation's farms. At the same time, the majority of the 2.4 million farmworkers in the country are people of color — yet they do not own or operate farms of their own. That wasn't always the case.

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This disparity stems from longstanding structural and institutional racism. Colonization, racist laws and policies, and state-sanctioned land grabs have made it nearly impossible for BIPOC to access land and resources.

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One such policy is Heirs' Property, which makes it harder for farmers to access resources like credit and farm services. This often leaves them with no choice but to sell involuntarily or have their property seized.

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Lost Agricultural Knowledge and Cultural Heritage

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The BIPOC population across the nation consists of diverse immigrants, migrants, refugees, and their descendants. They often come from agricultural backgrounds and bring distinct skills, knowledge, histories, and lived experiences. With the loss of their land, all these attributes are lost as well.

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For instance, Native growers planted corn, beans, squash, and sunflowers together. Corn stalks created a trellis for beans to climb, while the beans' twining vines secured the corn in high winds. But as Europeans seized the most fertile lands from Native growers, these farming practices were lost, leading to the monocropping industrial agricultural systems that produce much of the U.S. food supply today. These practices harm the environment, rural communities, and human health.

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Supporting BIPOC Farmers

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There’s a lot that can be done at the institutional level. Government and organizations can provide grants, subsidies, and incentives, which make it easier for BIPOC to rent, finance, and own land.

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Institutions like the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can offer free or low-cost, culturally competent legal services tailored to BIPOC farmers. Improving access to low-interest loans, microloans, and collateral-free loans can also help.

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Apart from that, there can be fair, sustainable markets that support BIPOC. And that’s where individuals can pitch in as well, by buying produce and supporting these BIPOC farmers.

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Beyond institutional support, fair and sustainable markets can center BIPOC farmers. This is where individuals can pitch in by buying produce and supporting these farmers directly.

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When you support these farmers, you also discover traditional, culturally rooted cooking techniques. This provides a deeper, more flavorful culinary experience than mass-produced alternatives.

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Farmers in these markets often share insights on using all parts of a vegetable, offering a more sustainable and flavorful cooking approach. You can also learn about indigenous healing practices, medicinal herbs, and traditional preservation methods like smoking or fermenting.

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Most BIPOC farmers already practice what we now call "organic" farming. They use compost from rotten food, cardboard, paper, and dead leaves, and practice intercropping rather than synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. So supporting them also means supporting better farming practices.

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Where Can You Buy From BIPOC Farmers?

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Start with Black Farmers Index. It is a comprehensive database to find local producers. It is one of the largest, most comprehensive, and free directories of Black Farmers. You will find everyone from row crop farmers, ranchers, vegetable and fruit producers, to beekeepers, fisherfolk, foragers, and vintners. You can even support the index by donating, which will help them reach out to more people. Also, here are some markets and hubs where you can find indigenous food and food products.