The bimonthly Black Farmers’ Market, alternating between Raleigh and Durham, helps Black farmers and small business owners thrive in the face of systemic racism.
The farmers’ market was founded by Ja’Nell Henry, Moses Ochola and Crystal Taylor, community organizers with professional experience in event planning, business consultation and the food industry.
In conjunction with their mission statement, the Black Farmers' Market works to support and protect Black-owned farms and businesses, which have been historically marginalized through race-based lending discrimination and legal loopholes that prevent land inheritance.
A safe place
Kendrick Ransome, owner of Golden Organic Farm, began selling his produce at the Black Farmers’ Market this summer. The Raleigh market is over an hour drive from his farm in Edgecombe County, but Ransome said the community is well worth the commute.
He never felt fully welcome at other farmers’ markets with predominantly white organizers and vendors. “They don’t really show love to Black farmers,” he said.
The Black Farmers’ Market, however, was a different story.
“It’s a safe place," Ransome said. "It’s a place where we can come and provide for our people, and that we can keep that dollar circulating in our community. Being able to see people come together on a positive note, on a healthy note, and networking and building community is really inspiring.”
As a fourth-generation farmer, Ransome has deep personal roots in his work and his land, which was originally purchased by his great-great-grandfather.
