News

BIPOC farmers facing challenges

SISTERS NAIMA AND Leah Penniman take a break from hoeing the land at Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, N.Y. The farm and Leah Penniman’s book inspired the film “Farming While Black,” which will be screened in Middlebury on Aug. 27.

A century ago, Black farmers owned an estimated 14% of the country’s farmland. By 2017, that number had dropped to below 2%. The picture is similar here in the Green Mountain State, where just 17 of Vermont’s 7,000 farms (or 0.33 percent) were Black- or African-American-owned in 2017.

We’re so glad you’re interested in this content! Please understand that in order for us to be able to fund high quality reporters covering local news, we need the help of paying subscribers and readers.

For full access to this story and all online content, please log in or subscribe to the Addison Independent.


More News
Homepage Featured News

Janoo, Gray win Dem races for top state jobs

The state narrowly supported political-newcomer Amanda Janoo over Aly Richards in the Demo … (read more)

News

County hospital trims FY27 budget for state review

Health care regulators began their review of Porter’s budget proposal this week.

News

Vermont is writing laws on artificial intelligence

Lawmakers succeeded in drawing lines around acceptable AI uses, but saw one bill vetoed.

Share this story: