The Legacy of Black Farmers in New York State

This is the second episode in a series on the Plight of Black Farmers.

“All of my life my work has focused on providing opportunity to people. I have a thirst to work hard and do good things everyday. I have been given the gift to create beautiful things.”

—Pamela Reese Smith

Advocacy. Education. Community Gardening. The Children's Garden.

Meet Pamela Reese Smith, an Urban Farmer who raises specialty mints and herbs for tea, organic vegetables, and flowers on her small urban farm in the City of Rochester NY. Pamela’s favorite work includes being a member of a team that built the Children’s Garden. Pamela is also a member of the Interim Steering Committee for Black Farmers United NYS, a group of more than 60 Black farmers, educators, and food justice advocates from across the state.

Pamela Reese Smith is a native of Harlem and current resident of Rochester, New York. She has been engaged in community organizing for over 40 years. She graduated from the University of Rochester in 2007 with the highest distinction in her class. In 2012, she was awarded the Community Champion Award from the Rochester Business Journal for her work in her community. Pamela became the Administrator for the City of Rochester in January 2014. During this time, she received the GRO1000 grant to establish a training, education, and demonstration garden that supports over 100 urban gardeners throughout the city. 

Black Farmers United NYS is a group of Black farmers, educators, and food justice advocates from across the state. Without serious investment and intervention, Black farmers in New York State will be marginalized out of existence. Our proposal aims to protect the legacy and ensure the future of Black farmers. They hold the power to radically change how black communities control access to safe, healthy food, and build a collective wealth and health in New York State.

Episode giveaways:

• Black Farmers United NYS members discuss the ongoing legacy of Black farmers in New York State. https://www.blackfarmersunited.org/media-presence
• Black Farmers Question USDA Priorities as Black-owned Farms Decrease in the US https://youtu.be/01N6p9srveU
• Young Black Farmers Defying a Legacy of Discrimination https://youtu.be/Cxbdwsy88V4
• Black Farmers Are Concerned Discrimination in Farming Will Never End https://youtu.be/WL66gm3cgXg
• Biden Withdraws Support for Black Farmers https://www.johnboydjr.com “I’m very, very disappointed in this legislative action,” he said in response to reading the final bill passed by the Senate. “I’m prepared to fight for debt relief for Black, Native American and other farmers of color all the way to the Supreme Court. I’m not going to stop fighting this.”
• Education And Training Community Garden https://youtu.be/vQNS8jXLft8
• Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust https://nefoclandtrust.org