Reflecting on the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference: Empowering Voices and Honoring Black Farmer History

By Rosemary Galdamez, Underserved Farmer Engagement Coordinator

This past December, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Iowa Farmers of Color Conference at Jasper Winery in Des Moines, IA. This transformative event, spearheaded by Todd Western III and Shaffer Ridgeway with support from Practical Farmers of Iowa, exceeded all expectations. Originally anticipated to draw 20-30 attendees, the conference attracted over 100 farmers and agricultural professionals throughout the day.

The day started off with an introduction to different organizations who can serve as resources to the farmers such as NRCS/FSA, Iowa Farmers Union, SILT, Nutrien, PFI, and Potlikker Capital showcased the myriad resources available to support farmers of color. Dr. Goldmon's address underscored the USDA's commitment to racial justice and equity, emphasizing the pivotal role of climate-smart projects in fostering inclusivity and sustainability within the agricultural sector.

Engagement soared as speakers shared valuable resources and facilitated open discussions, addressing pertinent issues, and amplifying diverse voices within the farming community. One recurring theme was the formidable challenge of land access, particularly poignant for Black farmers who have historically faced barriers due to exorbitant land prices and clandestine sales practices.

According to the 2022 National Young Farmer Survey, finding affordable land to buy is the top challenge for young farmers. It’s even more challenging for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) farmers. Of the more than 10,000 survey respondents, the survey results state:

Over half of all respondents (54%), and 75% of Black farmers, said that they currently need more access to land, whether to buy or lease…59% of Black respondent and 54% of BIPOC respondents said finding access to capital was “very or extremely challenging,” as compared to 41% of White respondents.

The Survey also found that land access issues were the top reasons young farmers leave the industry, or never start at all.

The National Young Farmer Coalition has recommended many action items to try and combat this challenge. They include, “addressing the climate crisis, facilitating farm transition, investing in community-driven initiatives, and providing support to young farmers and ranchers to access capital, find markets, and strengthen their operations.”

The importance of reaching beginning farmers to ensure they have adequate support was discussed in the final panel discussion of the Iowa Farmers of Color Conference, as a panelist noting the precarious nature of the first 4-7 years in farming. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Dewayne Goldomon, who highlighted the USDA's initiative, Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.

As one of the 131 approved projects, SWOF (Soil and Water Outcomes Fund) is actively involved in supporting underserved farming communities, with a dedicated commitment to allocating 20% of contracts to farmers from underrepresented backgrounds. Soil health is a marathon, not a sprint. To make long-term investments in things like soil health, infrastructure, and irrigation, land ownership provides critical security and stability for farmers.

Looking ahead, the overwhelming success of the conference signals a promising future for fostering diversity and inclusion within Iowa's farming community. I am inspired by the dedication of the event organizers and eagerly anticipate future iterations of this invaluable gathering.

Be sure to contact Rosemary, our Underserved Farmer Engagement Coordinator, to learn more about SWOF’s ongoing commitment to serve the diverse agricultural community. Enrollment is open across several states for 2024. Whether you're a farmer looking to participate in our program, an organization interested in collaborative outreach, or simply curious about our initiatives, Rosemary is here to help. We welcome ideas and feedback as we work together to cultivate a more inclusive and sustainable future for agriculture.

Sources:

Young Farmers Coalition. (2022). National Survey Report 2022. Retrieved from https://www.youngfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NationalSurveyReport2022.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2019). 2017 Census of Agriculture: Black Producers. Retrieved from https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Highlights/2019/2017Census_Black_Producers.pdf