Graduate Exit Seminar - Maritza Pierre

Plan to join Maritza Pierre's graduate exit seminar on July 11, 2025, at 1:00 pm in Howlett Hall, Room 139 or via Zoom. Maritza will present, "Adapting to Climate Change in Inclement Social Environments: Black Farmers, Adaptation, and Racialized Challenges"

Abstract: This dissertation explores Black farmers’ experiences with climate change and the ways in which historical and contemporary racism affect their interactions with agricultural and environmental organizations, shaping their vulnerability to climate change. Using qualitative data from Black farmers and staff of governmental organizations, land grant institutions, and non-governmental organizations in Ohio and North Carolina, the study examines how Black farmers perceive and respond to climate change, as well as how racialized social systems influence their access to institutional support and, consequently, their adaptive capacity.

The majority of the Black farmers in the study reported noticing climate-related changes, and nearly 60% were engaged in various adaptation strategies despite significant barriers, particularly a lack of resources. Institutional distrust, particularly in the USDA, was found to influence Black farmers’ engagement, although the need to access resources seemed to override feelings of distrust for several of them. Organizational outreach and engagement with Black farmers was also found to be shaped by racialized dynamics. Black-led organizations and 1890 Land-Grant Universities had higher Black farmer participation in their programs among agricultural and environmental organizations. The perspectives of Black farmers and organizational staff somewhat diverge on the relevance of climate concerns and the impact of institutional distrust not aimed at governmental organizations, but show similarities with regard to the overall racialized experiences of Black farmers.

Policy recommendations include expanding accessible, flexible financial supports, standardizing equitable outreach practices across USDA agencies, incentivizing increased minority engagement, and fostering partnerships with trusted Black-led and community-based organizations to address institutional barriers to the adaptive capacity of Black farmers.

Advisors: Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith and Dr. Shoshanah Inwood