Interview with Dean Phillip Jenkins, January 12, 1992

Interview Summary

Dean Jenkins was raised on a farm in Madison County, Kentucky. At the time of this interview, he still was actively farming, although he also was employed outside of the farm. In this interview, he discusses a range of topics dealing with farm management, including managing farm production through cover crops, subsoiling, erosion prevention, pasturage, and fertilizer application. He discusses the use of horses and mules for farm traction, as well as farm accidents. He also talks about people in the community who served as effective role models in farming. He talks about the economics and policy context of farming, as he has experienced it. In addition, he discusses the situation of African American farmers, including problems in using federal programs, and access to the credit needed to finance production, farm equipment and land purchases. He shares his views on the nature of racism in his experience, as well as various aspects of farming, his family, life in the community and spirituality.

Interview Keyword

Accidents African American experience in farming Beef production Black farmers Church life Church organizations Community role models Cover crops Economics of farming Farm accidents Farm organizations Farm policy Firewood Heritage farms Management of soil fertility Off-farm employment Participation in farm organizations Segregated schools Segregation Tobacco production

Interview LC Subject

African American farmers African Americans Agriculture--Kentucky Agriculture Family farms Madison County (Ky.) Race discrimination Racism Richmond (Ky.) Madison County (Ky.)

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.