African Americans have played an undeniable role in shaping American agriculture, yet today, they make up less than 2% of the nation’s farmers. From the rich agricultural knowledge enslaved Africans brought with them - cultivating crops like rice, okra, and yam - to the broken promise of "40 acres and a mule," Black farmers have faced generations of systemic barriers. What happened during Reconstruction that made land ownership so difficult? How did sharecropping trap so many in cycles of debt? And what role did government policies, like those of the USDA, play in pushing Black farmers off their land? As millions left the rural South for Northern cities during the Great Migration, what became of their agricultural traditions? Join John and Patrick as they sit down with culinary historian, educator, and award-winning author Michael Twitty - whose works The Cooking Gene and Koshersoul have transformed the conversation around food, identity, and history. From the Gullah Geechee people and their deep connection to African crops to the rise of urban farming as a means of reclaiming Black agricultural heritage, this special livestream episode explores the struggles, resilience, and ongoing revival of African American farming traditions. ---------- Order Michael Twitty's award-winning books: The Cooking Gene Koshersoul Follow Michael on Instagram and Threads @thecookinggene ---------- In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more. ----------- Instagram, TikTok, Threads: @historyoffreshproduce Email:
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