Building Community for Agricultural Legacy

Building Community for Agricultural Legacy

For P.J. Haynie, agriculture is more than a vocation; it's about building community and linking future generations, especially for young Black farmers.

"I don't care where you go- regardless of race, age, or religion; food connects us all," he says.

Haynie is a fifth-generation farmer. The Haynie Family manages and operates over 9,000 acres in Virginia and Arkansas, growing corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and rice. Haynie is also the CEO of Arkansas River Rice, the only Black-owned rice mill in the country.

Growing up, Haynie developed a strong belief in land conservation. He champions smart resource management, always eyeing the future. "By 2050, the world population is projected to grow to 9 billion people with less crop-able land available to produce food every year and a growing population we'll have to produce more with less," he says.

The Haynie family began adopting conservation practices around thirty years ago and have seen strong returns from this investment. The family plants buffer strips around fields, directly injects fertilizer, and practices reduced or no-till farming to prevent erosion and runoff into the Chesapeake Bay, a vital source of seafood.

They also utilize cover crops, which has noticeably improved water infiltration and moisture retention, reducing the need for tillage and herbicides due to the natural weed repression from cover crops. "Water infiltration is so important for yield gain here," he notes. Declining groundwater is a major concern in Arkansas, especially for the Delta's row crop farmers.

PJ Haynie
5th Generation Farmer In 2022, Haynie started growing rice and planted 100% of the crop to row rice cultivation. This was partly because he did not have experience with traditional paddy rice irrigation methods, but most importantly because university research showed the row rice method significantly reduced methane gas emissions and saved water usage on their farm.

Haynie's leadership in the rice industry was recognized by his selection for the 2023-25 USA Rice Foundation Leadership Class, a group of seven distinguished professionals selected by a committee of agribusiness leaders. He also holds the distinction of being the first Black rice mill owner to be inducted into the Foundation. As a farmer who has shifted his family's model into the food business, Haynie's launched Haynie Family Foods. This venture shares his story and educates others about successes in sustainable agriculture.

"Now that we have a rice mill and are able to process what we grow, there's an opportunity to share an even bigger value story," Haynie says. His family plans to offer branded packaging, 'Haynie Family Foods,' directly to consumers to share their agricultural journey straight from the farm. Haynie shows his commitment through action and advocacy. He serves in various leadership roles to support America's farmlands, including on an Advisory Council for Field to Market, where he promotes equal access for current and future farmers.

As Chairman of the National Black Growers Council (NBGC), Haynie brought together the NBGC, John Deere, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to create the Legislation, Education, Advocacy, and Production Systems (LEAP) Coalition. This initiative works to clear the way for Black farmers by tackling the obstacles acquiring property presents.

This summer, Haynie plans to host a Model Farm field day at his Arkansas farm. "I got involved in field days through the National Black Growers Council," he explains. "Minority Communities lack adequate support in row crop production agriculture, and I aim to teach them and inspire a love for farming."

"There is no culture without agriculture" is a phrase Haynie discovered on a lapel pin during a trip to Washington, D.C. in the 1990s. He still keeps the pin as a reminder of the importance of advocating for agriculture.

Haynie hopes to inspire young farmers. "We must work together. Even though we're scattered across the country, we don't see each other as rivals," he continues. "In underserved communities, people always find ways to come together."

He sums it up, "that's what I do this for - to support the next generation."

"I don't care where you go- regardless of race, age, or religion; food connects us all."

PJ Haynie
5th Generation Farmer