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2026 Annual Conference

August 28-29

Registration Opening Soon

at Delaware State University

Community

Two days. Dozens of farms. One community rooted in soil, culture, and the future of Black agriculture in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Culture & Celebration

Economic Opportunity

2026 Conference Sponsorship Packages

We are pleased to offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities during the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference. Options are available to fit every budget so that your organization or business can enjoy increased visibility and connection throughout the event.

Choices also include exclusive, premiere sponsorships that will give your company targeted recognition and showcase your support to all in attendance.

Sponsorship at every level helps to offset program costs, reduce attendee registration fees, and increase opportunities for attendance.

Call for Proposals

The Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus (MABFC) is seeking facilitators to lead interactive, engaging sessions during our annual conference. We aim to center the voices of Black farmers, organizers, healers, educators, and movement builders who are actively shaping the future of our food systems.

This year’s conference will be held at Delaware State University in Dover, DE on Friday, August 28th & 29th. Selected speakers should prepare a 1-hour presentation, expect up to 50 attendees per session. Interactive, immersive, hands-on, discussion-centered workshops are welcomed.

The deadline for submission is June 30, 2026. Selected speakers will be notified by July 10, 2026

What to Expect

The Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference brings together farmers, innovators, community leaders, and food justice advocates for two transformative days of learning, celebration, and connection.

Join us at Delaware State University as we explore the full breadth of Black agricultural life — from campus workshops and a powerful keynote address, to hands-on farm demonstrations, a dazzling fashion show, and a sprawling Delaware Farm Crawl that opens the doors of working farms across the region.

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Community & Connection

Farming can be isolating work. The conference brings Black farmers, food advocates, and rural community members together to share knowledge, resources, and solidarity across the region.

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Education

From DSU agricultural demonstrations to engaging sessions led by Black farmers, organizers, healers, educators, and movement builders, access to information is power. Our workshops and sessions are designed to equip farmers at every stage — from returning-generation growers to seasoned producers.

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Economic Opportunity

The conference and farm crawl creates direct economic pathways — connecting farmers to consumers, vendors to buyers, and entrepreneurs to investors.

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Culture & Celebration

Agriculture is not just an industry — it is a living tradition. Through fashion, food, music, and storytelling, we honor the cultural heritage carried in Black farming communities across generations.

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Schedule Overview

Friday, August 28 — Conference Day

Morning sessions and workshops kick off on the DSU campus, covering topics designed to equip and empower Black farmers across the region. Stay for our keynote luncheon, then join us as the day shifts to DSU's demonstration farm in Smyrna — featuring agricultural demonstrations, food and nutrition showcases, a textile and modeling exhibit, and a vibrant vendor marketplace with local farmers and artisans. Food truck fare available on-site. The evening closes with a spectacular Fashion Show.

Saturday, August 29 — 2nd Annual Delaware Farm Crawl

Eight to ten farms across Delaware open their gates to the public from 10 AM to 4 PM. Chart your own course — visit as many farms as you like, each offering its own unique activities and experiences. Prefer to ride together? Catch the bus departing from DSU and make the rounds with new friends. The day culminates in a block party celebration featuring Messiah's Market and the Village Tree.

2nd Annual Delaware Farm Crawl

Explore Delaware,
One Farm at a Time

The 2nd Annual Delaware Farm Crawl is your invitation to experience Black-owned and operated farms across the First State. Stroll through fields, meet the farmers behind your food, and discover the diversity of agriculture happening right in your region.

Your crawl, your way. With 8–10 farms open from 10 AM–4 PM, you choose your own route and pace. Each farm offers its own special activities — from farm tours and tastings to workshops and family-friendly fun.

Ride together. A free bus departs from Delaware State University for those who want a guided route and good company along the way.

End the day right. The Farm Crawl culminates in a community block party featuring Messiah's Market and the Village Tree.

What People Says

Why it Matters

Black farmers built much of this nation's agricultural wealth — yet for generations, systemic land loss, discriminatory lending, and limited access to resources have pushed Black farming communities to the margins. Today, less than 2% of U.S. farmers identify as Black, and the Mid-Atlantic region is no exception to this national crisis.

The Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference exists to change that — one harvest, one handshake, one generation at a time.

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2

of U.S. farmers identify as Black today

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12

acres of Black-owned farmland lost over the past century

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60.8

average age of Black producers

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55

Black-operated farms earn less than $5,000 a year in sales

Get In Touch

There are many ways to support the Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Conference and every contribution makes a difference. Whether you'd like to become a sponsor, donate to help cover programming costs, volunteer your time, or simply spread the word in your community, your support helps sustain a movement rooted in justice, legacy, and the future of Black agriculture.

To learn more about partnership and giving opportunities, contact us at info@blackfarmers.coop