NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The state of Arkansas is known as the Natural State for a reason— and as the state's largest industry, agriculture brings in about $16 billion each year.
Since organic farming makes up over $24 million in the state, environmental organizations are working to introduce the practice to marginalized farmers.
"It's more about getting back to healing the land. That's what organic is all about," explained Kesha Cobb, BlackAg Inc. founder.
BlackAg Inc. is an organization that works to support women, men, and future farmers who are under marginalized conditions.
In the state of Arkansas, Cobb said there are roughly 1,500 Black farmers out of more than 67,000 farmers in the state. As more organizations work to increase those numbers, one particular practice might lead to decreasing disparities when it comes to farming.
Organizations such as the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food (CAFF) have created the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which is aimed at curating relationships with minority farmers to introduce efficient resources for organic farming.
"A lot of Black farmers are already growing organically or naturally, and they just need to become certified. And so sometimes there are costs and courses affiliated with that, and that's what we do," Cobb said.
As one of the many partners with TOPP, Cobb said they receive the benefit first hand of the many effects organic farming provides.
"I have a backyard urban farm, and so I wanted to teach others how to do it. I've never used any kind of pesticides in my operation, and so nature taught me how to manage pests and be more organic," she added.
Through TOPP, Cobb and other minority farmers receive free resources such as virtual courses, funding, and more to successfully branch into the world of organics — limiting the amount of conflicts farmers face such as the struggle to get certified and more.
Through these practices, farmers are able to move one step closer towards the organic farming business. Click here to learn more about additional resources provided for organic farming.