The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently directed $2.2 billion to compensate farmers for historic lending discrimination. The lack of credit access caused the loss of Black-run farms nationwide. The number of Black farm operators dwindled from almost one million in 1900 to less than 50,000 today.
Listen below as WUFT's Report for America Corps Member Katie Hyson tells the story of John "Ronnie" Nix, a 69-year-old farmer in eastern Alachua County who is working to save the Black farms that are left and hold onto his own.
To Nix, it's about more than just economics or food. It's about Black independence.
WUFT · Black-owned farms are disappearing. One Alachua County man is fighting to preserve what’s left
