Farmers of color in the U.S. have long been disadvantaged by systemic and institutional racism, including well-documented discrimination in accessing credit, loans, resources, and markets. Farmers of color make up just 4.6% of all U.S. farmers — a stark reminder of how past and present inequities shape our food system.
RAFI founded the Farmers of Color Network (FOCN) in 2017 to support these farmers and help grow their numbers. The Network offers technical assistance, capacity building, and events to showcase ancestral traditions and knowledge while advancing innovative market solutions. The Network also connects farmers through online platforms, including the Farmers of Color Network Facebook group, which serves as a space to share opportunities, resources, and stories.
Today, FOCN serves farmers of color across the Southeast U.S., the lower Mid-Atlantic, and, since 2021, the U.S. Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — strengthening partnerships and broadening farmer-led solutions for resilience, sustainability, and justice.
How The Network Has Supported Farmers
- Mobilizing direct aid after natural disasters
- Coordinating on-farm brigades
- Facilitating direct-to-consumer purchasing
- Connecting farmers with emergency food programs
- Organized gatherings for farmers to connect with each other
Want to be part of the Network?
You can join in one of two ways:
- Members are farmers of color from across Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Allies strengthen the Network — farmers outside of our service area, organizations, advocates, and institutions who stand in solidarity, share resources, amplify voices, and help build a more just and resilient food system alongside farmers of color.