Veronica Petty, a Black farmer based in North Texas, has been cultivating her backyard farm as a part of The Soil-to-Profit Initiative with the Texas Small Farmers and Ranchers Community Based Organization. Despite working as an insurance claims adjuster during the day, Petty finds solace in tending to her crops in the evenings.
The initiative aims to support Black farmers and ranchers in the state, as they make up less than 2% of all U.S. farmers. Funding is available for Black farmers, but many emerging farmers struggle to meet the criteria due to a lack of proof of performance. This has led to a decline in Black farmers over the years, resulting in significant land loss.
P. Wade Ross, CEO of the nonprofit organization, emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and leveraging social media to support Black farmers. By teaching concepts like “soil to profit,” farmers like Petty are able to see their agricultural endeavors as real businesses.
Despite the financial challenges, Petty remains committed to her farm, investing thousands of dollars each year to maintain her quarter acre of land. She sells her crops at local farmers markets and has plans to expand her business by selling herbs and loofah plants to local businesses. Additionally, she has received a USDA Environmental Quality Grant to subsidize new farm equipment.
Julianna YeeFoon, director of food justice at For Oak Cliff, highlights the importance of supporting local farmers of color to ensure access to fresh, nutritious food in historically marginalized communities. The organization subsidizes entry fees to farmers markets for farmers of color and provides essential equipment for selling produce.
The history of discrimination against Black farmers by institutions like the USDA has contributed to the challenges faced by farmers like Petty. Ross’ family has encountered overt racism in the agricultural industry, highlighting the systemic barriers that Black farmers continue to face.
Despite these challenges, the nonprofit organization provides a supportive community for Black farmers to share their experiences and work together towards a sustainable future. For Petty, being part of this community has been invaluable, as she dreams of owning 50 acres of farmland in Texas one day.
As Petty continues to tend to her backyard farm, she finds joy in the process of weeding and harvesting, surrounded by the sounds of nature. Through the support of initiatives like The Soil-to-Profit Initiative and organizations like For Oak Cliff, Black farmers in Texas are working towards building a more sustainable and equitable agricultural community.