Ross Student Farm to Host Screening of ‘Farming While Black’ Documentary

Penn State’s Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm will host a screening of "Farming While Black," a feature-length documentary that explores the history and resilience of Black farmers in the United States, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Foster Auditorium at Paterno Library.

The event will include a panel discussion featuring experts and students who will connect the film’s themes to agriculture, sustainability, and racial equity at Penn State and beyond.

Panelists will include Milton Newberry III, director of student advocacy and access programs in the College of Agricultural Sciences; Robin Perry-Smith, Penn State Urban Extension educator; and Ann Holt, professor of art education. Student Farm Club members Justin Gardner and Sylvie Alexander will also share their perspectives.

In 1910, Black farmers owned 14% of American farmland. Due to systemic racism, discrimination and land dispossession, that number has dropped to less than 2%. The film chronicles the efforts of Leah Penniman, co-founder of Soul Fire Farm, alongside other Black farmers, to reclaim their agricultural heritage and promote food sovereignty.

Soul Fire Farm and similar organizations, such as Black Dirt Farm Collective and Rise & Root Farm, are working to support Afro-Indigenous food systems and create opportunities for Black farmers. Penniman’s efforts have been recognized by the Soros Racial Justice Fellowship, Fulbright Program, Pritzker Environmental Genius Award and James Beard Leadership Award, among others.

“This film beautifully overviews key historical facets of Black farming in America, including land and resource access, food sovereignty, and social movements,” said Marta Plumhoff, event planner. “It is a necessary education for anyone interested in sustainable agriculture, equity, and the food system we participate in every day.”

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees can park in the HUB parking deck at an hourly rate.

About the Sustainable Food Systems Network at Penn State

The Sustainable Food Systems Network includes the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State, Student Farm Club, Food Recovery Network, intercollege Food Systems Minor Program, and Course-Client Collaborations. The goal of the program is to develop students’ knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices while providing hands-on learning opportunities and positively contributing to the community.