The agricultural landscape in the United States has long displayed a stark underrepresentation of Black farmers . However, a Georgia nonprofit is changing this narrative by spearheading initiatives to support diverse farmers through its impactful grant program.
According to 11Alive , The Common Market Southeast has awarded millions in state funds to Local Lands, a Black-owned and small family-operated pasture, to empower underserved communities and farmers.
EliYahu Ben Asa, Local Lands member and head farmer at Atlanta Harvest, an extension of the family’s farm, discussed the initiative and how it benefits Black farmers.
“As farmers, not just farmers, but Black farmers, we’re pillars of the community and people really look up to us and the way that we function,” he told 11Alive.
The nonprofit’s program aims to help local farms provide food to essential institutions such as schools, hospitals, universities and large-scale government contracts.
“This past year has been very, very good for us,” Asa Ysrael, head farmer at Local Lands, said, per 11Alive. “The LFPA (Local Food Purchase Assistance) program has allowed us to scale up. It gives us security, so we don’t have to worry about if the product gets sold. We can focus on other variables that aren’t controllable. I’m happy about that.”