Tennessee House Bill HJR1039

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/26
• Engrossed: 3/3/26
• Enrolled: 3/11/26
• Passed: 3/18/26

Caption

A RESOLUTION to honor Tennessee's fifteen African-American-owned Century Farms for their contributions to this State's history, culture, and economy.

Impact

The resolution serves to recognize and celebrate the resilience of African-American families in farming, drawing attention to their remarkable stories of perseverance amidst significant obstacles. The history of these fifteen farms not only illustrates the agricultural legacy of African-Americans in Tennessee but also the broader socio-economic dynamics that have affected their land ownership over time, including the devastating impact of practices such as discriminatory loan practices and the Great Migration.

Summary

HJR1039 is a resolution honoring Tennessee's fifteen African-American-owned Century Farms for their significant contributions to the state's history, culture, and economy. Acknowledged by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, these Century Farms represent families that have maintained ownership and cultivation of their farmland for over one hundred years. This resolution emphasizes the importance of these farms in the foundation of Tennessee agriculture and highlights the historical challenges faced by African-American farmers, including systemic racism and economic barriers.

Contention

One notable point of contention remains the stark contrast between the flourishing agricultural history marked by African-American farmers and the current state of their land ownership, which has plummeted dramatically over the past century. As such, while HJR1039 is a celebratory resolution, it also subtly points to an ongoing issue of racial equity in land ownership and calls for a renewed commitment to supporting these historical farms and addressing disparities in the agricultural sector.