Black Soil KY, a Black woman-founded nonprofit agribusiness, is dedicated to reconnecting Black Kentuckians to their heritage in agriculture while promoting lifelong learning from kindergarten to adulthood. Over the past seven years, Black Soil KY has invested over $1 million in Black farmers, culinary businesses, creators, craftspeople and makers through grants, strategic partnerships, sales and agritourism activities.
With a vision to increase market share for Black producers and improve access to healthy food options, they offer farm tours, farm-to-table dinners, catering opportunities, events, workshops and more—all designed to support Kentucky’s Black agricultural community.
“We like to think that we’re Kentucky’s best kept secret; working in the background to influence change,” said Ashley C. Smith, executive director of Black Soil KY.
Farm Credit Mid-America, through its Community Investment Program, partnered with the organization in 2020 with an initial $200,000 investment over four years. The funding supported impactful programs including the Urban High Tunnel Project, Black Soil KY Grow Kits for students and virtual learning modules featuring Black farmers—backed by Farm Credit Mid-America volunteers.
This partnership helped tackle food insecurity, cultivate new farmers and enhance agricultural knowledge across Kentucky and surrounding states. Ashley shared, “what was at one point a destabilized, decentralized and tiny but mighty sector, has come together to build community within itself beyond Kentucky.”
Black Soil KY achieved significant milestones, including:
- Reaching 1,200 youth through the school garden program at George Washington Carver STEM Academy in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Facilitating $1.25 million in market impact across Farm Credit Mid-America’s service area.
- Supporting significant growth for participating farms, such as BearFruit & Grow, Cleav’s Family Market, Imperial Farms, Coleman Crest Farm and Barbour’s farm.
- Fostering innovation through diverse rice strand development, urban agriculture accelerators and tech-driven compost, aquaponics and education efforts.
- Spurring regional food system development and participation in the USDA Regional Food Business Center.
- Developing of the robust Eat Local Year-Round Challenge, continuing throughout 2025.
According to Ashley, “Farm Credit Mid-America’s support allowed us to stimulate this stagnant infrastructure, construct high tunnels for year-round growing and fill in gaps in the agricultural sector that were desperately needed.”
Looking ahead, the partnership will continue with a second-phase investment of $250,000 over the next five years. This funding will advance market development, leadership training, procurement efforts and long-term sustainability for rural communities and agriculture.
“Our hope is to continue the momentum of providing farmers in rural communities with continuous opportunities to gain market share,” Ashley added.
Marcus Tyler, Jr., Farm Credit Mid-America customer resource manager explained, “by operating with a servant’s heart, we’re motivated to share mentorship, resources and financial wisdom to help build operational efficiency for our community partners and agricultural trailblazers.” Together, Farm Credit Mid-America and Black Soil KY are ensuring that opportunities are available for generations to come, regardless of background. Marcus added, “we’re fortunate to have the ability to support Black Soil KY and witness the long-lasting impact they’re leaving within our communities.”
Black Soil is one of many partnerships the Association has cultivated through their Community Investment Program. Learn more about Farm Credit Mid-America’s Community Investment Program and the many ways they’re partnering with others to impact the future of local communities and agriculture.
