DCEO: Growing Freedom - Black Agriculture
Join DCEO and IL SBDC as they talk with Black farmers across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem. Attendees will also learn about financial and technical assistance, and resources available to agriculture businesses in Illinois.
There is a strong history of Black farm business in Illinois. Of the 70,000 farms in the state of Illinois today, only 188 are owned by Black farmers. This is a stark contrast to 1920 when close to 1,000 farms were owned and operated by Black farmers in Illinois. Although the number of Black farm businesses has fallen, the significance and impact of agricultural business has not changed. Join us as we talk with Black farmers from across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is still a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem.
Opening Remarks:
- Rebecca
Estrada – Deputy Director, IL OMEE
- Ericka
Perkins - Assistant State Director, Illinois SBDC Network
- Kristi
Jones – Deputy Director, IL Dept of Agriculture
Presentation of Resources: Dr. Jeb Asirvatham - Agribusiness Economics Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Matt Simpson -
African American Business Development Manager, IL OMEE
Panelists:
- Tim
Brown – Broadview Farm & Gardens (McHenry County, IL)
- John
Thurman – Thurman Farm (Pembroke Township, IL)
- Lloyd
Johnson – Johnson Family Farms (Alton, IL)
- Gary
Sager – Sager Family Farms (Polaski County, IL)
Wed, February 8 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location
Online Event
Website DescriptionJoin DCEO and IL SBDC as they talk with Black farmers across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem. Attendees will also learn about financial and technical assistance, and resources available to agriculture businesses in Illinois.
There is a strong history of Black farm business in Illinois. Of the 70,000 farms in the state of Illinois today, only 188 are owned by Black farmers. This is a stark contrast to 1920 when close to 1,000 farms were owned and operated by Black farmers in Illinois. Although the number of Black farm businesses has fallen, the significance and impact of agricultural business has not changed. Join us as we talk with Black farmers from across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is still a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem.
Opening Remarks:
- Rebecca
Estrada – Deputy Director, IL OMEE
- Ericka
Perkins - Assistant State Director, Illinois SBDC Network
- Kristi
Jones – Deputy Director, IL Dept of Agriculture
Presentation of Resources: Dr. Jeb Asirvatham - Agribusiness Economics Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Matt Simpson -
African American Business Development Manager, IL OMEE
Panelists:
- Tim
Brown – Broadview Farm & Gardens (McHenry County, IL)
- John
Thurman – Thurman Farm (Pembroke Township, IL)
- Lloyd
Johnson – Johnson Family Farms (Alton, IL)
- Gary
Sager – Sager Family Farms (Polaski County, IL)
Contact Info
Matthew.Simpson@illinois.gov
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Event Type
Webinar -
Intended Audiences
General Public Employer Business
DCEO: Growing Freedom - Black Agriculture
Wed, February 8 2023, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Join DCEO and IL SBDC as they talk with Black farmers across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem. Attendees will also learn about financial and technical assistance, and resources available to agriculture businesses in Illinois.
There is a strong history of Black farm business in Illinois. Of the 70,000 farms in the state of Illinois today, only 188 are owned by Black farmers. This is a stark contrast to 1920 when close to 1,000 farms were owned and operated by Black farmers in Illinois. Although the number of Black farm businesses has fallen, the significance and impact of agricultural business has not changed. Join us as we talk with Black farmers from across the state to learn their history, how they have overcome challenges, and why the industry is still a crucial part of the Black business ecosystem.
Opening Remarks:
- Rebecca
Estrada – Deputy Director, IL OMEE
- Ericka
Perkins - Assistant State Director, Illinois SBDC Network
- Kristi
Jones – Deputy Director, IL Dept of Agriculture
Presentation of Resources: Dr. Jeb Asirvatham - Agribusiness Economics Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Matt Simpson -
African American Business Development Manager, IL OMEE
Panelists:
- Tim
Brown – Broadview Farm & Gardens (McHenry County, IL)
- John
Thurman – Thurman Farm (Pembroke Township, IL)
- Lloyd
Johnson – Johnson Family Farms (Alton, IL)
- Gary
Sager – Sager Family Farms (Polaski County, IL)