Jackson Farms II, Lyman SC by Michael Dantzler

ABOUT

The SC Black Farmer Coalition is working to train, equip, and support existing, returning, and budding generations of Black farmers. We need Black-led training programs, land trusts, food hubs, policy advocates and funders to get the job done.

Become a Member

Farmer member Benefits:

  • Bi-monthly meetings

  • Access to funding for your farm

  • Information sharing around grants and other opportunities

  • Networking with other Black farmers

  • Connect with local Black food entrepreneurs 

Food Entrepreneur Member Benefits:

  • Features in monthly newsletters

  • Connect with local Black Farmers

  • Networking with other Black food entrepreneurs

Membership Fees

New Farmers

FREE with 10 coalition service hours

Established Farmers

$25/month ($300/year)

Elder Farmer

(30+ years)

$25/year

Food Entrepreneur

$15/month ($180/year)

To be an official member of the SC Black Farmers Coalition, you must 1) identify as Black or African-American 2) live in or have farming property in South Carolina 3) be a budding, active and/or elder farmer or food entrepreneur. Submit dues based on where you are at in your farming/food entrepreneurship journey. Dues can be paid by check and made payable to the Coalition (mail to PO Box 22194, Charleston, SC 29413) or through the following mobile apps: 

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Coalition Goals

The goal of the SC Black Farmers Coalition is to grow farmers in community by:

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Building Awareness of Black Farmers on Digital Platforms

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Agricultural & Culinary Certifications

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Group Retirement & Health Care Plans

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Land Bank

Eight Support Opportunities for State Agriculture Leadership to Consider and Support

(Highlighted are the top 3 chosen by coalition members with the remaining listed in order of importance)

  1. Acres of land throughout the SC for Black farms in a land trust

  2. Equity audit of all existing programs that support SC farmers, with specific targets and set-asides for Black farmers

  3. Regional Black-led food hubs to aggregate crops and get them into disadvantaged markets/communities 

  4. $3 million in continuing education funds for Black farmers ($1,111 per person for 2,700 Black farmers) 

  5. Annual funding for Black-led urban farms

  6. Black food system fund for South Carolina (investment vehicle startup capital to farms and food businesses in Black communities)

  7. Acres of incubator farmland through conservation easements

  8. Regional heavy equipment sharing program for Black farmers

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Pitfalls to Avoid:

  • Funneling money for Black farmers through white-led organizations

  • Assuming that anyone other than Black farmers can represent us

  • Assuming that existing programs are adequate and all that is needed is "outreach"

  • Dividing our movement by organizing with individuals rather than the collective

  • Assuming that Black people are not interested in farming

  • Setting aside resources for "disadvantaged farmers", assuming that will take care of Black farmers

COVID RESPONSE

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Our Bi-monthly meetings are hosted online via Zoom due to COVID-19. People can participate with their smartphone and/or landline. We will practice physical distancing and other precautions for all coalition meetings and events until the pandemic has ended. Meeting notes can be mailed upon request to members who are not online.