Hi Sarah,

I agree with your idea that without farmers, America would starve. As a white farmer who lives in rural America, I also agree that white American farmers are some of the hardest working people on the planet, and there is nothing wrong with us. Some of the farmers I know are cash poor and land rich, but you can’t spend land without selling it. So I also agree that farmers are struggling, and have been for a long while. I think of farming as a hard, but good life, and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

My big question is why is it that most farmland is owned by white people? It seems your answer is that white people are the only ones willing to work that hard. I disagree there. I personally know Black, Latin American, and Indigenous people who work really hard to support their families. I think there is something structural about who gets to own farmland in America, and that determines what kind of work is available to people.

You also want me to ask urban Black people if they would rather live in the country. I agree that many or most would probably say no. I think if we asked urban white people the same question they would also say no. People are used to what they are used to. Also, because currently the country is so white, it might not seem welcoming for Black folks.

I think every person, regardless of skin color, should be connected to the land where food comes from. When people are not connected to land, they don’t appreciate all the work that goes into raising food. That goes for all urban people, white or BIPOC. I want a future where connection to land is possible for anybody. I hope you agree with me.