Wynea L. Buford: African Americans in Agriculture Spotlight Series

Meet Wynea L. Buford, a District Conservationist in Georgia, VT, by way of Oklahoma.

To kick off the African Americans in Agriculture Spotlight Series, I chatted with Wynea L. Burford, A District Conservationist in Georgia, VT., via Oklahoma. Let’s dive in.

Wynea, what does Agriculture mean to you? How does it affect your everyday life?
Agriculture means the sustainability of life. Without agriculture, I wouldn’t have shelter, clothes or food.

How did you get into agriculture? What was/is your agricultural inspiration or influence?
I have a rich history of family-operated farms ranging from grass-fed beef, swine, chicken, pecan, and a vegetable garden. This rich history of hearing and experiencing farming inspired me to pursue a career in agriculture.

What is your favorite part about what you do? 
I love meeting new farmers and learning about the history of the operation.

What is it like being an African American in Agriculture in today’s society?
Being a Black American in agriculture today is a phenomenon. Not many blacks are interested in the daily toils of the land because of history or due to the hard labor with little reward. The first question many have asked me (after, “where are you from?”) is how I got started with agriculture or did I grow up on a farm.

Statistics show that African Americans in Agriculture has declined drastically over the years. What are some ways we can reverse this trend?
Introduce agriculture at an early age to our black youth. Connect people back to the land and the importance of knowing how our food and fiber is grown and where.

What words of encouragement or advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in Agriculture?
The opportunities in the field of agriculture are endless! From the local farm stand to international trade, agriculture touches every skill degree known (i.e. accounting, chemistry, biology, etc.)

Any additional words you’d like to share?
The sustainability of our soil is the key to a healthy human race.

Wynea L. Buford
District Conservationist (USDA/NRCS)

wynea.buford@usda.gov