The Impact of Mechanized Farming on Black Farm Families in the Rural South: A Study of Farm Life in the Brooks Farm Community, 1940-1970

Abstract

Advances in farming mechanization effectively put most African American farmers in the South out of business. Wealthier White farmers were able to invest in farming techniques that were less labor-intensive and more capital-intensive. Consequently, African American farmers were forced to either cease their operations and migrate or find alternative, low cost farming techniques that would allow them to stay in business. Most migrated or went out of business, and those that stayed were probably financially unable to leave.