The Bland Family Farm

In the heart of the Delta, Black farmers are reclaiming their ancestral legacy despite systemic barriers and decades of land loss. The Bland Family Farm has sustained the agricultural tradition of rice farming in the Mississippi Delta for the past four generations. They actively hone traditional agricultural practices including seed saving, composting, and seasonal, hand-tended cultivation. The legacy they preserve speaks to their deep connection to the land as guardians of agricultural heritage of Mississippi.

The Bland family has deep roots, fortified by community, ancestral ties, and a vision for equitable agriculture in the face of struggles presented by funding cuts and declining ownership of family farms. As a result of their work, locally-grown produce can be distributed to local kitchens and onto families’ tables. The Blands prioritize education through field walks, workshops, farm‑to‑table dinners, and youth mentorship. This work ensures that the traditional knowledge is passed onto future generations and equips aspiring farmers with a model for sustainable agriculture that supports their local population. Christie Bland’s motto, “If they can’t sit at the table, I’ll build them one,” underlines their commitment to their community.

Festivalgoers can expect to hear the connections between rice farming, traditional agricultural practices, and Delta history. Members of the Bland family will share their journeys from sharecropping ancestors to present-day farmers leading change.

In the town of Sledge and beyond, the Bland Family Farm stands as a living symbol of heritage, perseverance, and equitable agriculture. They honor ancestral land stewardship while creating a sustainable, inclusive future. They tell a story, foster a community, and nurture a vision rooted in Delta soil and embodied in every crop.