Black Farmers Index: Highlighting and Supporting Black-Owned Farms
- Annerose Ross
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Connecting Communities Through the Black Farmers Index
Why the Black Farmers Index Matters
The State of Black Farming: Important Statistics
Spotlight on North Carolina’s Black-Owned Farms
How to Use the Black Farmers Index
How Supporting Black Farmers Aligns with Sustainability
How Curate Supports Black-Owned Farms & Businesses
Sources & Further Reading
Social Post
Email Promotional Copy
Connecting Communities Through the Black Farmers Index
The Black Farmers Index is an essential online platform created to support, amplify, and connect communities to Black-owned farms and producers across the United States. Founded on principles of equity, visibility, and food justice, it helps consumers directly support Black farmers by providing an accessible, comprehensive directory of farms and agricultural businesses.
Why the Black Farmers Index Matters
Historically, Black farmers have faced systemic barriers including discrimination, limited access to land, and financial exclusion. Over the last century, this has drastically reduced Black ownership of farmland—from 14% of all U.S. farms in 1920 to less than 2% today (USDA Census, 2017).
The Black Farmers Index aims to reverse this trend by making it easy for communities to identify, support, and sustain Black-owned agricultural businesses, directly addressing systemic inequities in farming.
The State of Black Farming: Important Statistics
Less than 2% of U.S. farmers identify as Black, owning only about 0.52% of American farmland. (USDA, 2017 Census)
Black-owned farms earn significantly less, on average, compared to white-owned farms, highlighting ongoing disparities in farm revenue and access to markets (The Counter).
In North Carolina specifically, there are approximately 1,400 Black farmers (NC Region, Black Farmers Index), many of whom prioritize sustainable and regenerative practices.
Spotlight on North Carolina’s Black-Owned Farms
North Carolina is a notable hub for Black-owned farms, each contributing to regional sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and food security.
Notable North Carolina farms on the Black Farmers Index include:
Sankofa Farms (Cedar Grove, NC): Sustainable, education-focused farm offering workshops, bees, and fresh produce.
Tall Grass Food Box (Durham, NC): Supports local Black farmers by aggregating their products into convenient boxes.
Perkins Orchard (Durham, NC): Family-owned produce market known for fresh local produce and community involvement.
How to Use the Black Farmers Index
Using the index is straightforward:
Visit blackfarmersindex.com
Choose your region or state
Browse the listings to find farms and markets near you
Connect directly through the provided contact information or websites
Supporting these businesses not only strengthens local food systems but also directly contributes to greater racial equity in agriculture.
How Supporting Black Farmers Aligns with Sustainability
Black-owned farms disproportionately adopt regenerative farming practices, often rooted in ancestral techniques that naturally restore and protect ecosystems. By supporting these farms, you:
Contribute to biodiversity and soil health
Help combat climate change through regenerative practices
Promote fair and equitable access to agricultural markets
How Curate Supports Black-Owned Farms & Businesses
Curate is deeply aligned with platforms like the Black Farmers Index, amplifying local, ethical, and sustainable businesses.
Our Local marketplace highlights Black-owned and other minority-owned businesses, providing increased visibility.
We educate our audience about supporting ethical agriculture and regenerative farming.
We actively partner with local initiatives to elevate underrepresented voices in sustainable business.
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