Kimberly Ratcliff is on a mission to make a difference and bring generational change to minority farming enterprises. In 2007, this mission began with a move from New York, New York, to Caney Creek Ranch in Oakwood, Texas, leaving the city to help other Black farmers and ranchers protect and build their operations despite their lived experiences — toiling and carving out a living. Fast forward to 2020 up to today, the Advisory Committee on Minority Farming (ACMF) synced up so well with these objectives Kimberly sought and acquired an appointment to the ACMF to make

sure that the voices of minority farmers were always at the table. To understand her passion for the future of farming in America in general, and more specifically — the future of minority farming businesses, let’s briefly look at the history of Black farmers and ranchers in America and the inequities encountered throughout decades.

 

Kimberly focuses on Black agriculture because she is intimately familiar with this as one of few Black female ranchers in agriculture in the nation. We know that Black agriculture has been hampered by relentless systemic discrimination and land dispossession. Even after the period of slavery, many Black farmers and ranchers faced barriers and hurdles in appropriating land to begin fledging enterprises. Looking back, we know many were forced to work on plantations with no ownership or control over the land or animals. Even years later, once land was acquired, Black farmers and ranchers faced relentless discrimination, and racial violence, and ultimately lost control or ownership of their property.

 

These days, Black farmers remain at a systemic disadvantage to access capital or obtain financial assistance which is critical for any business venture — and even more for agricultural pursuits. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to address the inequities of their past when Black farmers were systematically shut out of funding assistance and loan programs. Black farming communities could not rise and barely thrived enough to take care of one’s family. The color of one’s skin made it doubly difficult to farm back then; building an enterprise was beyond their reach. Many Americans are blind to the condition of Black farmers and reject notions of equity and reparation because it is easy to do so — not having a historic reference to race in agriculture.

 

The USDA established its Equity Commission several years ago for such a time as this. Given the outpouring of support and commendations during the Commission’s convenings (e.g., gatherings around the country) it was a fruitful venture. Kimberly believes, however, that the Commission’s work has only just begun. So much more remains to be addressed and she hopes that the ACMF will pick up the baton and take it forward, working with Commission members and key USDA stakeholders to continue this critical body of work. Kimberly is currently the Chair of the ACMF, and in this role, she believes that, along with her fellow members, she may continue to marshal recommendations yet to be implemented and help keep the USDA on track toward making meaningful and verifiable changes in how the USDA engages its minority stakeholders. It will take that, and much more, to reverse the impacts of unrelenting racism and injustices toward Black Americans — particularly in agriculture. Authorized by Congress in 2008, the ACMF was put in place to perpetually review USDA programs and recommend how the USDA might best serve all minority producers in more meaningful ways. On Kimberly’s watch, she hopes to keep the dialogue open on former and current recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture and to take on evolving issues regarding minorities in agriculture on matters relating to civil rights, equity, inclusion, access, breaking down barriers to participating in USDA programs, and more.

 

This is what passion looks like. Now, a little about Kimberly’s personal story.

 

Kimberly’s father, Wesley, purchased Caney Creek Ranch in 2002. At that time, Kimberly was steeped in a career with Bloomberg in New York. Not long after that, she began thinking about the future of the family ranch and how she might be part of something bigger, even in a small town. She left the “Big Apple” and moved home and jumped right into studying ranch management at Texas Christian University, and set out to help her father build the business. Together, they started Ratcliff Premium Meats — a high-quality beef production company of locally sourced products selling to carnivores across the country!

 

Kimberly’s story begins and ends with community. Her community starts with family: her father and two brothers -- Dwayne and Ben. Wesley is the patriarch and the ‘connector’ and oversees all operations, making sure all are working in tandem to meet the family objectives. He keeps the mood light and constantly cracks jokes. Kimberly’s brothers have unique roles on the ranch where Dwayne is the fixer-upper and runs fulfillment in Ratcliff Premium Meats. Ben is the salesman and plays a crucial role in the business workings of the business. Moreover, Ben is introducing his children to work on the ranch. The Ratcliffs know that their next generation of farmers will be the ones to continue the legacy of the family ranch and the business. It has been a critical goal and mission within the family to develop and embrace notions of generational wealth. It has been unfortunate that so many in minority farming communities do not have this privilege because it is hard enough just to keep an enterprise afloat for far too many.

 

Notions of acquiring and building generational wealth should be the rule and not an exception. Kimberly’s family is engaged in the long game of operations by building the collateral meat finishing business, investing in solar operations, and building the family trust for estate plans. Estate planning in minority farming communities has not been front and center because it was impractical to do so when many are stepping in keeping it going year to year under dire circumstances. This must change. There needs to be a legal bearing and understanding to minority communities to protect their substance and disentangle their properties and land records.

 

Kimberly also shared about how she and her family have discussions to put plans in place to protect their ranch for future generations as they work together on the family mission, hoping to be an example for other ranchers and farmers on how to protect the family assets and build wealth. “We have to start somewhere!” For Kimberly, her community and the future of farming extends beyond her immediate family. The community embraces developing new and forward-thinking sustainable farming practices throughout the locale and across the entire country. When people think about New York City, agriculture is not what comes to mind for most. Until recently, urban agriculture as a business venture was unheard of in most population-dense cities throughout the country. Things are changing rapidly in that regard. Urban agriculture has taken on a new face in 2024. In fact, in July, the ACMF is meeting in New York to discuss new initiatives in farming to ensure others are thinking more expansively about agriculture in the United States and what that means for the next generations of farmers and ranchers. As agriculture evolves, the changes in the industry are set to make farming more sustainable and climate-smart. Tomorrow’s agriculture practices are already here - today.

 

To amplify the voice of minority farming communities, Kimberly has become a megaphone for her fellow farmers and ranchers. Aside from her work with the USDA, she is a member of quite a few boards and committees all with a mission to bring her unique perspective to the stakeholders of these influential organizations. Recently, Kimberly was invited to join the Independent Cattleman Association, Governor Abbott’s Commission for Women, and the Texas Rural Leadership Board, amongst many others. She goes on to say, “I spread my wings as far as possible to explain what needs we have, what challenges we face, and where we can use support.” In this way, being at the table is crucial for changing the tides and bringing balance and equity front and center — keeping it there in perpetuity or for as long as barriers and exclusion exist. The future of minority farming and ranching — or all of farming and ranching — depends on us harnessing the collective strengths of all. The ACMF prides itself on representing those of us who have not had a voice or felt comfortable engaging with the Department on their experiences. Kimberly confirms, “We are here to tell our stories.”

 

Finally, Kimberly began a charitable organization — Ratcliff Community Based Organization (Ratcliff CBO) — to minimize and break down barriers for minority farmers. It is her hope that this organization will be that beacon of hope for Black farmers and ranchers based on her own experience over the years. Its mission is deeply rooted in justice and empowerment and stands at the forefront of advocacy and support for minority farmers who have long been underserved and overlooked. Recognizing the lingering effects of past injustices and barriers to federally funded programs, the CBO will be proactive in addressing these disparities head-on, bridging the gap between underserved farmers and vital resources necessary to build and sustain their operations. The Ratcliff CBO is all about support, advocacy, and education, paving the way to a more inclusive

and sustainable future for minority farmers, nationwide.

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Selected by USDA Advisory Committee on Minority Farming