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Black Producers Have Farmed Sustainably in Kansas for Generations

Summary

Black farmers in Nicodemus, Kansas, have practiced sustainable agriculture for generations, using climate-smart methods long before they became widely recognized. However, land loss due to systemic discrimination and financial challenges has significantly reduced Black land ownership in the region. Despite recent federal grants supporting land access and conservation practices, the future of these programs remains uncertain. The Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA) has worked to reclaim lost land and implement regenerative practices, but ongoing support is needed. The article argues that increasing, rather than cutting, funding for Black farmers is crucial for building climate resilience and addressing historic injustices in U.S. agriculture.

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Black farmers in Nicodemus, Kansas, have practiced sustainable agriculture for generations, using climate-smart methods long before they became widely recognized.