Image by Loren King from Pixabay
Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 17, Issue 01 | September 30, 2020

Policy Memo: Michigan Farmers of Color and the Future of Sustainable Food Systems​

​Kimberly N. Carr (1,2), Vanessa Garcia Polanco (3), Shakara Tyler (4)
  1. Michigan State University, Center for Regional Food Systems, East Lansing, MI
  2. Michigan State University, Center for Interdisciplinarity, East Lansing, MI
  3. Michigan State University, Department of Community Sustainability, East Lansing, MI
  4. Michigan State University, Department of Philosophy, East Lansing, MI
Download PDF
https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG170102
Keywords: sustainable food systems; agrarian racial and ethnic disparities; sustainability; farmers of color; agriculture; Michigan
Executive Summary: Historically, racial and ethnic disparities in agriculture and the food system experienced by farmers of color (FoC) in the United States and in Michigan stem from an exploitative and racialized agricultural system in which white people have primarily benefited and profited. Sustainable agriculture with a strong orientation toward racial justice can serve as a medium for building more racial equity and transforming our racialized food system. Such a medium ensures that the resources to participate and contribute to a sustainable food system are accessible to everyone, not just those with significant power and resources. Although the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is in the initial phases of developing a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan, there is currently no specific plan to support and target FoC. While there are several programs performing this work from grassroot organizations, civic groups, extension services, and others, there is no comprehensive statewide effort to create support systems for FoC in Michigan. To address this issue, we recommend the creation of an incentivized farm program as a way to address agrarian racial and ethnic disparities experienced by FoC and advance an equitable and just sustainable food system within the state of Michigan.

-Read the full article through download.-
Download PDF

References

  1. Carlisle, Liz, Maywa de Wit Montenegro, Marcia S. DeLonge, Adam Calo, Christy Getz, Joanna Ory, Katherine  Munden-Dixon et al. 2019. “Securing the Future of US Agriculture: The Case for Investing in New Entry Sustainable Farmers.” Elementa Science of the Anthropocene 7(1): 17-36. http://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.356.
  2. Cohen, Nevin, and Kristin Reynolds. 2014. “Resource Needs for a Socially Just and Sustainable Urban Agriculture System: Lessons from New York City.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 30(1): 103-114. https://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1742170514000210.
  3. Edelman, Marc, Tony Weis, Amita Baviskar, Saturino Borras Jr, Eric Holt-Gimenez, Deniz Kandiyoti, and Wendy Wolford. 2014. “Introduction: Critical Perspectives on Food Sovereignty.” Journal of Peasant Studies 41(6): 911-931. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2014.963568.
  4. Feder, C., and T. Cowan. 2013. Garcia v. Vilsack: A policy and legal analysis of a USDA discrimination case. http://nationalaglawcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/crs/R40988.pdf.
  5. Feldmann, J, Vincent Gauthier, Maggie Monast, Mark Rupp, and Britt Aasmundstad. 2019. Innovative State-Led Efforts to Finance Agricultural Conservation. https://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/documents/innovative-state-led-efforts-finance-agricultural-conservation.pdf.
  6. Fernandez, Margarita, Katherine Goodall, Meryl Olson, and Ernesto Mendez. 2013. “Agroecology and Alternative Agri-Food Movement in the United States: Toward a Sustainable Agri-Food System.” Journal of Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 37(1): 115-126. https://doi.org/10.1080/10440046.2012.735633.
  7. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2018. Sustainable food systems: Concept and framework. http://www.fao.org/3/ca2079en/CA2079EN.pdf.
  8. Garcia v. Vilsack, No. 00-2445, (D.D.C. 2000). https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/FH-DC-0010-9000.pdf.
  9. Hebblethwaite, John F, and Carol N. Somody. 2008.
  10. “Progress in Best Management Practices.” In The Triazine Herbicides: 50 Years Revolutionizing Agriculture, edited by Homer M. LeBaron, Janis E. McFarland and Orvin C. Burnside, 501-517. Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-51167-6.50042-8.
  11. Held, Lisa. 2019. “How States are Helping Farmers Adopt Sustainable Practices.” Civil Eats, October 16, 2019. https://civileats.com/2019/10/16/how-states-are-helping-farmers-adopt-sustainable-practices/.
  12. Horst, Megan, and Amy Marion. 2018. “Racial, Ethnic and Gender Inequities in Farmland Ownership and Farming in the U.S.” Agriculture and Human Values 36: 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-018-9883-3.
  13. Keepseagle v. Vilsack, No. 99-03119, (D.D.C. 1999). https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/FH-DC-0009-9000.pdf
  14. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). 2011. Facts About Michigan Agriculture.” Accessed April 10, 2020. https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572-7775--,00.html.
  15. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (MDARD MICREP). n.d. “Permanent Conservation Easement Program, Landowner Application Form.” Last revised August 20, 2001. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda_laf_9656_7.pdf.
  16. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program (MDARD MI FOSPP). n.d. “Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program, Application for Designated Open Space Easement.” Last revised October 2017. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdard/Designated_Open_Space_Easement_Application_361492_7.pdf.
  17. Michigan Farm Bureau (MIFB). 2015. “MAEAP funding measure passes House”. May 21, 2015. https://www.michfb.com/mi/news/policy_and_politics/maeap_funding_measure_passes_house/.
  18. Minkoff-Zern, Laura-Anne. 2019. The New American farmer: Immigration, Race and the Struggle for Sustainability. Cambridg: The MIT Press.
  19. Pigford v. Glickman, No. 97-1978 (D.D.C. 1997). https://www.clearinghouse.net/chDocs/public/FH-DC-0006-9000.pdf.
  20. Slocum, Rachel. 2008. “Thinking Race Through Corporeal Feminist Theory: Divisions and Intimacies at the Minneapolis Farmers’ Market.” Social & Cultural Geography 9(8): 849–869. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649360802441465.
  21. Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program (SAREP). n.d. What is Sustainable Agriculture?. Accessed August 25, 2020. https://sarep.ucdavis.edu/sustainable-ag.
  22. Taylor, Dorceta. 2018. “Black Farmers in the USA and Michigan: Longevity, Empowerment and Food sovereignty.” Journal of African American Studies 22(2): 49-76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12111-018-9394-8.
  23. Tyler, Shakara S., and Eddie A. Moore. 2013. “Plight of Black Farmers in the Context of USDA Farm Loan Programs: A Research Agenda for the Future.” Professional Agricultural Workers Journal 1, no.1 (Article 6):1-11. https://tuspubs.tuskegee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=pawj.
  24. United States Census Bureau (US Census). 2019. “Quick Facts Michigan”. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/MI.
  25. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library (USDA NAL). 2007. Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms, Special Reference Briefs Series no. SRB 99-02. https://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/sustainable-agriculture-definitions-and-terms.
  26. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2017a. 2017 Census of Agriculture State Profile Michigan. Accessed April 5, 2020. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/Michigan/cp99026.pdf.
  27. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2017b.  Table 61 Selected Farm Characteristics by Race: 2017. Accessed April 5, 2020. http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Michigan/st26_1_0061_0061.pdf.
  28. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2017c.  Table 63 Selected Producer Characteristics by Race: 2017. Accessed April 5, 2020. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Michigan/st26_1_0063_0063.pdf.
  29. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2017d. Appendix B. General Explanation and Census of Agriculture Report Form. Accessed August 20, 2020. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_US/usappxb.pdf.
  30. United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). 2020. Farms and Land in Farms 2019 Summary. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Todays_Reports/reports/fnlo0220.pdf.
  31. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS). n.d. Incentive Programs and Assistance for Producers. Accessed August 25, 2020. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/climatechange/resources/?cid=stelprdb1043608.
  32. United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA). n.d. Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). Assessed August 25, 2020. https://nifa.usda.gov/funding-opportunity/beginning-farmer-and-rancher-development-program-bfrdp.
  33. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Nevada (USDA NRCS NV). 2020. Small & Limited and Beginning Farmers & Ranchers. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/nv/about/outreach/slbfr/.
  34. United States Government Publishing Office (US GPO). 2018a. TITLE- 7 AGRICULTURE. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2018-title7/pdf/USCODE-2018-title7-chap55-sec2279.pdf.
  35. United States Government Publishing Office (US GPO). 2018b. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr2/BILLS-115hr2enr.pdf.
  36. Waller, Donald M,, and Nicholas J. Reo. 2018. “First Stewards: Ecological Outcomes of Forest and Wildlife Stewardship by Indigenous Peoples of Wisconsin, USA.” Ecology and Society, 23(1): 45-59. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09865-230145.
Kimberly N. Carr is a postdoctoral research associate and interdisciplinary scholar in both the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) and Center for Interdisciplinarity (C4I) at Michigan State University. CRFS and C4I are positioned in the Department of Community Sustainability and Department of Philosophy. Her interdisciplinary research is in the context of food sovereignty and racial equity in Michigan.
 
Vanessa Garcia Polanco is an activist-researcher graduate student in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University. She is interested in immigrants, refugees, and people of color in agriculture and the food system. She is a board member of Michigan Food and Farming Systems.
Shakara Tyler is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Philosophy at Michigan State University (MSU). She has worked with the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems as the Underserved Farmer Development Specialist, where she provided technical assistance to underserved farming groups such as farmers of color, women farmers, and beginning farmers, as well as developed research agendas focused on better supporting these communities. She serves as a board member of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) and Detroit Peoples’ Food Co-op (DPFC), and a coordinating member of the Black Dirt Farm Collective (BDFC).
 
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Jennifer Silvieri, Director of Operations, Michigan Food and Farming Systems, Dr. Michael O'Rourke, Director, MSU Center for Interdisciplinarity, Rich Pirog, Director, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, and Dr. Stephanie Vasko, Managing Director, MSU Center for Interdisciplinarity, and members of MSU Scicomm for their feedback and support.
DISCLAIMER: The findings and conclusions published herein are solely attributed to the author and not necessarily endorsed or adopted by the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. Articles are distributed in compliance with copyright and trademark agreements.

ISSN 2372-2193
© 2022 Journal of Science Policy & Governance, Inc. All rights reserved. The opinions, findings and conclusions from JSPG publications, additional article commentaries and related events do not necessarily reflect the views of the journal.