Images: AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT

<p><center>Lee County, Alabama:</center></p>
Jerry Singleton, eighty-one years old and last generation farmer returns "Tat" to the grazing pasture after some light plowing. Singleton. continues to farm 12 acres of produce, but uses an old tractor for heavier plowing. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Lee County, Alabama:

Jerry Singleton, eighty-one years old and last generation farmer returns "Tat" to the grazing pasture after some light plowing. Singleton. continues to farm 12 acres of produce, but uses an old tractor for heavier plowing.

<p><center>Buckingham County, Virginia:</center></p>
First-generation cattle farmer Allen Gooden grew up outside Birmingham, Alabama, attended college, and then served in WW11 in the south pacific. In addition to to working as a school principal, he has been farming since 1946. He purchased his in-laws' farm with money borrowed from them; after paying them back, Gooden purchased an addtional sixty acres and started a tree farm." It's the best thing that has happened to me," he says of farming. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Buckingham County, Virginia:

First-generation cattle farmer Allen Gooden grew up outside Birmingham, Alabama, attended college, and then served in WW11 in the south pacific. In addition to to working as a school principal, he has been farming since 1946. He purchased his in-laws' farm with money borrowed from them; after paying them back, Gooden purchased an addtional sixty acres and started a tree farm." It's the best thing that has happened to me," he says of farming.

<p><center>Thomas County, Georgia:</center></p>
Elton " lil bro" Williams loading produce at Marable Farm. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Thomas County, Georgia:

Elton " lil bro" Williams loading produce at Marable Farm.

<p><center>Saint Mary Parish, Louisiana:</center></p>
Cleaveland Jackson ( center ) pulls sugar cane stalks from his old harvester with the help of his cousin and a neighbor. The decrepit machine frequently jams, which translates into time lost removing the sugarcane from the fields. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Saint Mary Parish, Louisiana:

Cleaveland Jackson ( center ) pulls sugar cane stalks from his old harvester with the help of his cousin and a neighbor. The decrepit machine frequently jams, which translates into time lost removing the sugarcane from the fields.

<p><center>Greene County, Alabama:</center></p>
Third-generation cattle farmer Harry Means and his son Donald walk through a pasture looking for one of their large breeding bulls that continues to break out of fenced spaces. Harry in his seventies can no longer control the 2,600 pound bull. They have been trying for days to herd the bull into a trailer for transport to the stockyards where it will be auctioned. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Greene County, Alabama:

Third-generation cattle farmer Harry Means and his son Donald walk through a pasture looking for one of their large breeding bulls that continues to break out of fenced spaces. Harry in his seventies can no longer control the 2,600 pound bull. They have been trying for days to herd the bull into a trailer for transport to the stockyards where it will be auctioned.

<p><center>Sumter County, Alabama:</center></p>
Anne Williams helps her husband, Charles pick peas and other produce during harvest season. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Sumter County, Alabama:

Anne Williams helps her husband, Charles pick peas and other produce during harvest season.

<p><center>Dooly County, Georgia:</center></p>
Carl Whitehead shows strain and frustration as the window of opportunity to plant his cotton seeds has come and gone. Having submitted his application for and operational loan on time and required before planting season, he can only wait, even as other farmers who requested the same loans at the same time have already received their money purchased and planted their seeds weeks ago. He filed for bankruptcy and will be the last generation in his family to farm. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Dooly County, Georgia:

Carl Whitehead shows strain and frustration as the window of opportunity to plant his cotton seeds has come and gone. Having submitted his application for and operational loan on time and required before planting season, he can only wait, even as other farmers who requested the same loans at the same time have already received their money purchased and planted their seeds weeks ago. He filed for bankruptcy and will be the last generation in his family to farm.

<p><center>Iberia Parish, Louisiana:</center></p>
June, the youngest Provost brother, fills out the required paperwork that will accompany their trucks of sugarcane to the mill for testing of sugar content and weight. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Iberia Parish, Louisiana:

June, the youngest Provost brother, fills out the required paperwork that will accompany their trucks of sugarcane to the mill for testing of sugar content and weight.

<p><center>Putnam County, Georgia:</center></p>
Lamar family farm milking barn before dawn. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Putnam County, Georgia:

Lamar family farm milking barn before dawn.

<p><center>Buckingham County, Virginia:</center></p>
Cattle farmer Madison Brown walks through a pasture on his farm during a severe drought in Virginia. The grass should normally reach Brown's hip by this time of the season. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Buckingham County, Virginia:

Cattle farmer Madison Brown walks through a pasture on his farm during a severe drought in Virginia. The grass should normally reach Brown's hip by this time of the season.

<p><center>Durham, North Carolina:</center></p>
Opening prayers at the Land Loss Summit. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Durham, North Carolina:

Opening prayers at the Land Loss Summit.

<p><center>Halifax County, North Carolina:</center></p>
Cotton Seed. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Halifax County, North Carolina:

Cotton Seed.

<p><center>Buckinham County, Virginia:</center></p>
Weeks after removing tobacco from the field, Hoover Johnson inspects some tied leaves that have been curing. Unlike newer tobacco barns constructed of metal and heated with gas, Johnson's wooden barn uses a large smoldering log for heating and curing. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Buckinham County, Virginia:

Weeks after removing tobacco from the field, Hoover Johnson inspects some tied leaves that have been curing. Unlike newer tobacco barns constructed of metal and heated with gas, Johnson's wooden barn uses a large smoldering log for heating and curing.

<p><center>Martin County, North Carolina:</center></p>
Herman Lynch worked on his grandfather's farm for many years, until the older man died. Because of legal problems with the farm's deed, the land was sold to a neighboring farmer. Lynch now tends his grandfather's land as hired help. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Martin County, North Carolina:

Herman Lynch worked on his grandfather's farm for many years, until the older man died. Because of legal problems with the farm's deed, the land was sold to a neighboring farmer. Lynch now tends his grandfather's land as hired help.

<p><center>Bladen County, North Carolina:</center></p>
After designing a modification to convert his four-row sprayer to a machine capable to treating six rows at a time, Wright finishes some welding. " This modification will allow fewer trips through the field, cutting fuel costs and time in the field."</p> : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Bladen County, North Carolina:

After designing a modification to convert his four-row sprayer to a machine capable to treating six rows at a time, Wright finishes some welding. " This modification will allow fewer trips through the field, cutting fuel costs and time in the field."

<p><center>Marion County, Florida:</center></p>
A second generation farmer, John Burton grows and handpicks Valencia peanuts with the help of his wife, Evelena. Because the peanuts grow on the roots, the farmers must pull the plant from the soil before picking the shells. The process strains back muscles and fingers, as is evident when Evelena stretches he hand after working in the field for several hours. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Marion County, Florida:

A second generation farmer, John Burton grows and handpicks Valencia peanuts with the help of his wife, Evelena. Because the peanuts grow on the roots, the farmers must pull the plant from the soil before picking the shells. The process strains back muscles and fingers, as is evident when Evelena stretches he hand after working in the field for several hours.

<p><center>Thomas County, Georgia:</center></p>
James Marable, shows the stress upon returning to his fields after a morning meeting with local FSA officials earlier. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Thomas County, Georgia:

James Marable, shows the stress upon returning to his fields after a morning meeting with local FSA officials earlier.

<p><center>Brooks County, Georgia:</center></p>
Rosa Murphy, in her late eighties, continues to do light work in her fields. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Brooks County, Georgia:

Rosa Murphy, in her late eighties, continues to do light work in her fields.

<p><center>Dooly County, Georgia:</center></p>
Preparing the fields for planting.
: Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Dooly County, Georgia:

Preparing the fields for planting.

<p><center>Macon County, Georgia:</center></p>
Warren James fixes a nozzle on his newly installed irrigation system, which waters eighty acres." The irrigation system has helped, and having it is a plus with money lenders. It also allows greater flexibility choosing what crops you can plant in that field." : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Macon County, Georgia:

Warren James fixes a nozzle on his newly installed irrigation system, which waters eighty acres." The irrigation system has helped, and having it is a plus with money lenders. It also allows greater flexibility choosing what crops you can plant in that field."

<p><center>Brooks County, Georgia:</center></p>
Rosa Murphy, in her eighties continues to light work in her fields. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Brooks County, Georgia:

Rosa Murphy, in her eighties continues to light work in her fields.

<p><center>Humphreys County, Mississippi:</center></p>
Edmond Clark is a third-generation cotton farmer. Clark's son has decided against taking over the farm, the nephew who currently assists him may eventually assume the responsibility and keep the land productive. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Humphreys County, Mississippi:

Edmond Clark is a third-generation cotton farmer. Clark's son has decided against taking over the farm, the nephew who currently assists him may eventually assume the responsibility and keep the land productive.

<p><center>Lee County, Alabama:</center></p>
Jerry Singleton plowing with "Tat" preparing his field for seeding. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Lee County, Alabama:

Jerry Singleton plowing with "Tat" preparing his field for seeding.

<p><center>Wake County, North Carolina:</center></p>
Griffen Todd, a third generation farmer, grows tobacco and soybeans and raises hogs. " I grew up on a farm and have been farming all my life. I believe the man upstairs has looked after this farm and my family." : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Wake County, North Carolina:

Griffen Todd, a third generation farmer, grows tobacco and soybeans and raises hogs. " I grew up on a farm and have been farming all my life. I believe the man upstairs has looked after this farm and my family."

<p><center>Thomas County, Georgia:</center></p>
Gene Cummings, a caseworker for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, and James Marable sit in the waiting room prior to meeting with local USDA official about securing a loan that will keep Marable Farm operating. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Thomas County, Georgia:

Gene Cummings, a caseworker for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, and James Marable sit in the waiting room prior to meeting with local USDA official about securing a loan that will keep Marable Farm operating.

<p><center>Holmes County, Mississippi:</center></p>
Joshua Davis waits to meet with a USDA official at the local office; the official never showed up, and Davis left after having sat for forty-five minutes. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Holmes County, Mississippi:

Joshua Davis waits to meet with a USDA official at the local office; the official never showed up, and Davis left after having sat for forty-five minutes.

<p><center>Washington, D.C.:</center></p>
Shirley Sherrod a representative of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, reacts as a congressional aide appears for a meeting instead of the congressman himself.
: Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Washington, D.C.:

Shirley Sherrod a representative of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, reacts as a congressional aide appears for a meeting instead of the congressman himself.

Washington, D.C.:

Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Gary Grant, President of the Black Farmers and Agriculturists Assn., lead a demonstration at the entrance of the USDA. Secretary Dan Glickman eventually agreed to their demand that he speak with them, meeting a small delegation who spoke on behalf of black farmers.

Washington, D.C.:

Black farmers protest outside the U.S. District Courthouse prior to their hearing on their class-action lawsuit against the USDA.

Washington, D.C.:

Ralph Paige, executive director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund, speaks on the U.S. Capital steps during the " Caravan to DC Rally."

Washington, D.C.:

A black farmer is arrested during a peaceful sit-down demonstration in front of the Dept. of Agriculture.

<p><center>Holmes County, Mississippi:</center></p>
A farm toolshed. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Holmes County, Mississippi:

A farm toolshed.

<p><center>Halifax County, North Carolina:</center></p>
" Farm for Sale" billboard. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Halifax County, North Carolina:

" Farm for Sale" billboard.

<p><center>Greene County, Alabama:</center></p>
A deserted farmhouse. : Images : AMERICAN BLACK FARMERS PROJECT - John Ficara

Greene County, Alabama:

A deserted farmhouse.

Introduction

In Greene County, Alabama, a deserted farmhouse sits in the middle of a field so overgrown with weeds that the house is completely engulfed; snaking vines and stalks cover the doors and windows and invade the chimney, choking off any possibility of human habitation. Hidden by the curtain of greenery, the house stands as a silent testament to the loss that black American farmers and their families endured during the twentieth century. What keeps these families from their dreams and way of life, however, is the not the encroachment of natural forces but the demise of a culture that supports independent farmers. In 1920, black Americans made up 14 percent of all farmers in the nation, and they owned and worked 16 million acres of land. Today, battling the onslaught of globalization, changing technology, an aging workforce, racist lending policies, and even the Department of Agriculture, black farmers account for less than 1 percent of the nation's farmers and cultivate fewer than 3 million acres of land. Experts are predicting that black-owned family farms will all but cease to exist. The American Black Farmers Project is a result of a four year journey across America to document and preserve the struggles of black farmers. The hardships and joys of daily life on the farm echo deeply in these images. They convey a dignity of work and culture, and they document the experiences of black farmers that I have met around the country.

- John Francis Ficara

How do you take a picture of the last moment of twilight?

Quickly! Take the photograph before the last light fades away for all time. Be careful as you take the pictures. What you capture with your eyes will have the last say on our memories.

- Juan Williams , from the book essay