Farming While Black Film Spotlights New Generation of Farmers
Farming While Black is a film that captures the experiences of Black farmers at the intersection of food justice and sustainable agriculture interwoven with the history of Black farmers and landowners in America.
Written and directed by Mark Decena, Farming While Black is executive produced by Kontent Films and was released in 2023.
Farming While Black documentary film summary
Black farmers owned 14% of land in the U.S. (about 16 million acres) by the early 1900s.
Today, Black farmers own less than 2%.
Farming While Black relays this statistic within the first few minutes of the film.Â
The film continues with an introduction to Leah & Naima Penniman, of Soul Fire Farm, a community farm and training center in upstate New York for BIPOC farmers.
We learn about how their childhood influenced and shaped their work with Soul Fire Farm.
Community activist and gardener, Karen Washington, walks us through her journey growing food in the Bronx and her work advocating for the protection and preservation of community gardens.
Timberframer and organic farmer, Blain Snipstal, discusses how Afroecology is the core concept of the Black Dirt Farm Collective.
Black farmer panel discussion
Farming While Black was screened at the Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Durham, NC.
The film was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Jazmin Leath, Education Coordinator at Carolina Farm Stewardship Association, with:
- Lynn Waymer, co-producer of the film
- Delphine Sellars of Catawba Trail Farm
- Ashley Walker of So Herban Homestead
- Kendrick Ransome of Golden Organic FarmÂ
The panelists spoke of how they started farming and their suggestions for how to connect the youth and elderly to the land by growing their own food.
Where to watch Farming While Black
From what I can tell, the film isn’t available to watch on any streaming platforms.
However, certain organizations, when they screen the film, have made it available online for a limited time.
On Instagram, follow @kontentfilms for future screenings of Farming While Black.
Want to see this film in your city?
Encourage local organizations to host a screening, such as:
- Film festivals
- Movie theaters
- Food & wine festivals
- Sustainable agriculture conferences
- Libraries
- K – 12 schools
- Community colleges and universities
- Farmer and urban grower communities
- Company employee resource groups (ERGs)
- Wellness retreats
- State fairs
- Permaculture interest groups
- Food & grocery co-ops
These organizations often set aside a budget for community building and professional development.
Also, consider pooling money with friends, neighbors and community members to bring this film to your city.
Trailer
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