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Summer 2026—February 2027
2026 SFA Film Residency, with multi-city in-person experiences and monthly virtual workshops ⟶
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Renew
Summer 2026—February 2027
2026 SFA Film Residency, with multi-city in-person experiences and monthly virtual workshops ⟶

Oral Histories

The SFA oral history program documents life stories from the American South. Collecting these stories, we honor the people whose labor defines the region. If you would like to contribute to SFA’s oral history collections, please send your ideas for oral history along with your CV or Resume and a portfolio of prior oral history work to info@southernfoodways.org.

< Back to Oral History project: Restoring Soil, Reviving Humanity: Regenerative Agriculture and Community in Virginia

ORAL HISTORY

Michael Carter Jr.

Carter Farm

Michael Carter, Jr. is an agricultural innovator and educator in Unionville, Virginia. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Michael grew up in Caroline County, Virginia. A graduate of North Carolina A&T State University with a degree in agricultural economics, he has dedicated his career to advancing sustainable farming practices and promoting African heritage in agriculture. Michael’s international experiences, including work in Ghana, Israel, and Kenya, have shaped his holistic approach to farming. He works on his family’s farm, Carter Farms, and founded Africulture, a nonprofit organization that teaches the principles, plants, and practices of African-descended agriculture while fostering cultural and racial identity. His work bridges the past and future, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques, and emphasizes the importance of storytelling in preserving community history and land stewardship. Committed to mentorship, Michael has guided other farmers and students, planting seeds of agricultural knowledge and cultural pride. His innovative efforts in crop production, regenerative practices, and community engagement make him a prominent advocate for sustainable and inclusive farming.

Date of interview:
2024-10-30

Interviewer:
Sarah I. Rodriguez

Photographer:
Parker Michels-Boyce

Download Transcript

“

"To me, regeneration of the earth should be in line with the regeneration of the human spirit and human soul, and there’s a lot of things that we have to regenerate as well: our compassion for nature, for ourselves, for plants, peoples, the flora and fauna, the insects." -Michael Carter Jr.

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The Southern Foodways Alliance drives a more progressive future by leading conversations that challenge existing constructs, shape perspectives, and foster meaningful discussions. We reconsider the past with research, scrutiny, and documentation.

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