An Update on the Black Farmer Documentary Effort

The last update from us was back in June as we wrapped up the intense week of traveling across Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. Since then, the work has continued though on a slower pace for me, but for Shoun, things are continuing at warp speed.

Here is a brief summary of what we’ve been up to over the last two years.  In terms of funding, we received a sizable grant from the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association and its amazing leader, President, Gary Grant. While that was sizable no doubt, and got us moving down the road, we realized early on that expenses were going to be higher than we anticipated. That is where our friends stepped in.  Many of you prayed over the effort and offered words of support, 90 of you reposted my posts on the FB fund raising page, and 146 of you donated a total of $10,225. We find that both amazing and humbling.

Thus far, in both 2018 and 2019, Shoun and I (and Charla), have made six trips across eleven states.  We have been in Texas (twice), Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, New Jersey, Maryland, and Washington, DC.

We have interviewed legal counsel, farmers and families; a former USDA Secretary of Agriculture; a former Director, Office of Civil Rights, USDA; the president emeritus of the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees; and the author of the premier book on injustices perpetrated by the USDA upon Black farmers during the age of the Civil Rights.

To the best of our abilities to ascertain, there were 15 farmers who settled administratively with the USDA in 1997, 1998, and 1999. The Department of Justice was deeply involved, but that is a story for another day. Of those 15 farmers, we were unable to locate three of them either because they were deceased and we could not contact family members, or we could not contact them period. May they Rest in Power from their trials and tribulations.

Three declined participation. Two are currently living but have legal obligations in areas that conflicted with our efforts. One son of a deceased farmer declined because “that was then and this is now.” We were disappointed in all three of these, but we understand complicated matters of various sorts.

We interviewed living farmers or family members of the remaining farmers. Of the 15 total, we interviewed 9 for a total of 11 interviews. These involved the farmers and spouses themselves, adult children of deceased farmers, adult grandchildren of deceased farmers, and a mother of a farmer.

The interviews took on a life of themselves, so to speak. Arrangements had been made, we arrived generally on time, or if we were not going to make it, we’d make a courtesy call, and then we’d arrive and begin to set up. Shoun handled all of the technical, camera, filming-related issues. I handled explanations, honoraria, signatures, and questions. Charla was marvelous for helping us get these things together. Then, we’d move toward the cameras, with note pad and questions in hand, we’d begin the interview once Shoun was squared away.  The interview would generally continue start to finish though there were times when we would need to stop for a break of some sort of other. Then we would finish.

After finishing the interview, Shoun would take portraits of the farmers and families. He would then walk the land with or without the farmers and families, taking what is called “b-roll” footage. Charla and I would oftentimes help him with his equipment. Sometimes, we would just stay out of the way. Other times we would chat with the farmers and families while Shoun was capturing what his eye said to capture.

Sometimes we would head into town for lunch, or sometimes we would chat a bit and then head on down the road. While I cannot speak for Shoun or Charla, I oftentimes found my head spinning and my heart moving into unique spaces and places.

At this point, the work actually continues. We believe that drone footage will help tell the stories. We have secured a photographer who understands racial issues and will help in telling the stories. Your financial support there is deeply appreciated. Along with that, there is a myriad of details to get done such as contacting folks whose names may or may not appear in the film, who may or may not want to speak for themselves, and all manner of other things.

While this is certainly longer than I’d intended to write today, it does give you a glimpse of the work to which you have contributed.  I’ll write more about gratitude later.