Black Farmer Livelihood Strategies

 

Black Farmer Livelihood Strategies to Mediate Financial and Emotional Stress

Monday, September 12 from 1-2pm ET

Dr. Andrew R. Smolski - Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Dr. Michael D. Schulman - William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor

North Carolina State University, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences

A tradition of rural sociological research highlights the assets and networks that support farmer strategies to address financial and emotional distress. Using data from open-ended interviews with a small set of black farmers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, we investigate some of the factors that contribute to their sustainable livelihoods. We find from preliminary results that farmer informants rely on community-based farmer networks to navigate fiscal and mental health crises. These networks support farmers in understanding the challenges they confront as having structural and institutional causes, as well as providing solidarity bonds, access to training, and cooperative economic strategies. Thus, there is a role for collective action between farmers in developing alternative resources to maintain the farm and contest discriminatory practices. The data show that the benefits extend beyond the economic into the psychological as evidenced by narratives of reduced stress from joining together around issues pertinent to Black Farmers. This finding merits further exploration and consideration when developing programs to support farmers as they work to overcome contemporary financial and emotional challenges to sustaining the farm.

Please register for this virtual event

https://tinyurl.com/blackfarmerlivelihoods

For more information reach out to Katie Trozzo at ketrozzo @vt.edu. If you are a person with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Katie Trozzo at ketrozzo@vt.edu or 540-231-4582 at least 10 days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Interim Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State University, Petersburg

 

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