Black land loss – the loss of land ownership and rights – dates back to the mid-19th century, where in some states Black Americans were prohibited from owning land after the Civil War ended. Meanwhile, the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves but did not guarantee a right to land ownership. While the “40 acres and a …
Written by Fred Tutman, Patuxent Riverkeeper Originally published in the “Parting Thought” column of A.T. Journeys Magazine AS THE PANDEMIC TOOK HOLD OF THE WORLD, group hikes and travel to hiking destinations became less safe and so the call of the trails increasingly uncertain. But the urge to get outside transformed into a constant craving. …
Take Action to establish the Urban Agriculture Grant Program (SB673/HB269)! Sponsored by Sen. Gallion and Del. Wells, this meaningful bill would establish an Urban Agriculture Grant Program and Fund housed within the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA). It will be up to MDA to establish and define the program, but the bill is a necessary first …
Written by Nicole Oveisi, Fair Farms Intern Throughout American history, Black Americans have been denied access to the resources needed to prosper and have been denied equal protection under governing laws and regulations. As a response to a racist system and in an effort to survive, many Black communities used cooperative business models not only …
Written by Morgan Johnson, Staff Attorney “Buy land—they aren’t making it anymore.” These words from Mark Twain underscore a concept that tenant farmers are well aware of—land is scarce. Scarcity drives up costs, and presents an imbalance in the power to choose what, when, and how changes may be made to farmland. Roughly 64% of …
Written by Nicole Oveisi, Fair Farms Intern For this month’s Partner Spotlight, we are highlighting the work of Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture. We got in touch with Pamela Hess, Executive Director, to get an insider’s look at Arcadia’s work and how that has shifted in light of COVID-19. The current food system …