The Black Farmers Index: 5 Critical Ways This Directory Is Fighting 90% Land Loss In 2025

The Black Farmers Index (BFI) has emerged as a vital digital resource in the ongoing fight for equity and visibility for Black agriculturalists across the United States. Launched in April 2020, this free, comprehensive directory directly addresses the devastating historical and systemic barriers that have resulted in the loss of nearly 90% of Black-owned farmland over the last century. As of late 2025, BFI is more than just a list; it is a critical tool for consumers, institutions, and policymakers seeking to support food sovereignty and economic justice by connecting directly with traditional and non-traditional Black growers.

This initiative, founded by a respected NYU professor, provides a crucial pipeline between Black farmers—many of whom lack the exposure to sell or distribute their produce—and a hungry public actively seeking out Black-owned businesses. The Index now lists over 1,300 farmers and growers, helping to combat food system failures and the deep-seated inequities that persist in American agriculture today.

Founder's Profile: Dr. Kaia Niambi Shivers and the Origin of BFI

The Black Farmers Index is the passion project of Dr. Kaia Niambi Shivers, an accomplished academic whose personal history is deeply intertwined with the struggle for Black land ownership.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Role: Founder of the Black Farmers Index (BFI) and a professor at New York University (NYU).
• Academic Affiliation: Professor of Liberal Studies at NYU.
• Launch Date of BFI: April 2020.
• Initial Purpose: The Index was created to support Black-owned farms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly growing from a media project at Ark Republic (where Dr. Shivers is a contributor) into its own sister organization and 501(c)(3) non-profit.
• Personal Motivation: Dr. Shivers' commitment is deeply personal; her family's farmland was stolen before she was born. This history fuels her mission to ensure modern Black agriculturalists can thrive and maintain their legacy.
• Vision: Through BFI, she aims to connect a hungry public with Black farmers while simultaneously pushing for a reimagining of the societal constitution regarding food and land access.

5 Critical Ways the Black Farmers Index is Driving Economic Justice

The challenges facing Black farmers are complex, stemming from a long history of systemic racism, including discriminatory lending practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Black Farmers Index is not merely a static list; it is an active, dynamic tool that addresses these issues head-on through visibility, resource connection, and advocacy.

1. Countering the 90% Decline in Black-Owned Farmland

The most shocking statistic in American agriculture is the precipitous drop in Black land ownership. In 1910, Black farmers owned approximately 16 million acres of land. Today, that number has plummeted by nearly 90%, a decline attributed to discriminatory loan practices, forced sales, and heirs' property issues.

BFI directly combats this by increasing the economic viability of the remaining Black-owned farms. By boosting visibility and connecting these growers directly to consumers, BFI helps ensure a stable revenue stream that is essential for retaining land and passing it down to the next generation. The Index effectively creates a consumer-to-Black farmer pipeline, empowering growers to thrive despite historical disadvantages.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

2. Providing a Free, Comprehensive Directory for Consumers

Before BFI, finding Black farmers was often a fragmented, difficult process. The Index solved this by offering the largest, free, and most comprehensive directory of Black agriculturalists in the U.S. It includes a map and lists over 1,300 farmers and growers, categorized by region and type of agriculture, from traditional row crops to non-traditional urban growers.

This simple act of centralization is transformative. It allows consumers, restaurants, and food distributors to bypass traditional, often biased, supply chains and directly support Black farmers, fostering a more equitable food system.

3. Addressing Systemic USDA Discrimination (Pigford and Beyond)

The context of BFI's work is inseparable from the history of USDA bias. The landmark Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit, settled in 1999, confirmed that the USDA had systematically discriminated against Black farmers in farm loans and assistance for decades. While the settlement provided some relief, the struggle for justice continues.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

Today, the focus has shifted to the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). After the American Rescue Plan's initial debt relief program was challenged in court, Congress allocated $2.2 billion through the DFAP to provide financial assistance to farmers who experienced USDA discrimination before January 1, 2021. BFI and similar organizations play a crucial role in disseminating information about these programs, helping eligible farmers access the long-overdue relief they deserve.

4. Promoting Organic Certification and Sustainable Farming

A key part of BFI's commitment is to ensure Black farmers have more representation as certified organic farmers. Historically, access to the resources and capital required for organic certification has been another barrier. By providing visibility and connecting growers to essential resources, BFI helps Black agriculturalists secure certifications that often lead to higher-value markets and greater economic stability.

This focus aligns the fight for economic justice with the growing movement for sustainable and regenerative agriculture, positioning Black farmers at the forefront of a healthier, more resilient food future.

5. Building Topical Authority and Community Resilience

BFI acts as a central hub for news, resources, and community building. It addresses not only the financial challenges but also the outsized risks and mental health challenges Black farmers face due to operating with less government support and a higher level of risk.

By compiling lists, sharing stories, and advocating for policy change, the organization builds "topical authority" around the issues of Black land ownership, food insecurity, and agricultural equity. This continuous stream of information and connection helps to mobilize support, inform policy, and ensure that the narrative of the Black farmer is not relegated to history books but is a central, thriving part of the modern food conversation.

The Future of Black Farmers Index and Agricultural Equity

As the Black Farmers Index continues to grow beyond its initial 1,300+ listings, its mission remains critical. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, relying on donations to fuel its work of bringing business and visibility to Black farmers.

The persistence of systemic challenges—from the ongoing legal battles over discrimination relief to the vulnerability of small farms amid economic turmoil—means BFI’s role as a connector and advocate is more vital than ever. Supporting the Index and the farmers listed within it is a direct action toward repairing a century of agricultural injustice and securing a more diverse, equitable, and food-secure future for all.