Degree Name
DrPH (Doctor of Public Health)
Program
Public Health
Date of Award
8-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Bethesda O'Connell
Committee Members
Kate Beatty, Jodi Southerland
Abstract
Black farmers in Appalachia represent a vital and historically marginalized population within one of America’s most economically distressed regions. Black farmers have endured generations of systemic racism, resulting in land loss, economic hardship, and mental stressors. This study examines the intersection of race, agriculture, and behavioral health to illustrate how structural barriers and cultural stigmas shape the mental well-being of Black farmers across Appalachia.
Findings from the analysis will guide the development of a conceptual model based on constructs from the Social-Ecological Model (SEM), Intersectionality Theory, and Critical Race Theory (CRT). This study will use Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) conducted across the 13 states of the Appalachian region to explore the mental health experiences of Black farmers. Fifteen Black farmers were interviewed between January and February 2026. Transcripts were analyzed using theoretical coding and Atlas.ti. Five primary themes emerged from the analysis, highlighting the structural conditions shaping participants’ mental health experiences.
Participants described navigating systemic barriers to land access, financial capital, and institutional support, as well as persistent discrimination within agricultural spaces. However, participants also emphasized the importance of community, cultural identity, and collective resilience as key motivation for maintaining mental well-being. Peer networks, shared community spaces, and culturally grounded support systems were identified as important mechanisms for coping with stress and addressing mental health challenges as well.
Findings suggest that improving mental health outcomes for Black farmers requires approaches that address both structural inequities and community-based support systems. A product of this study includes a list of recommendations to inform community stakeholders across Appalachia on addressing the mental health needs of Black farmers. Future research will expand these recommendations list through community-based participatory research (CBPR). Further research will also examine the intersection of menopause and mental health among Black female farmers.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Smith, Aliyah, "Weathering More Than Storms: Understanding the Mental Health Disparities of Black Farmers in the Appalachian Region" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4757. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4757
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
