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Must-See Documentary on ‘Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land’ to Premiere For Free on VONtv [TRAILER]

Gaining Ground- The Fight for Black Land

A must-watch documentary shedding light on the challenges Black farmland owners face is streaming for free from October 24-27 on VONtv. Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land, produced by Deere & Company and Al Roker Entertainment, dives deep into the devastating effects of heirs’ property on Black farmers and their land.

Heirs’ property is a form of land ownership where the land is passed down without a clear will, leaving multiple descendants with fractional ownership. This lack of a clear title makes it easier for outside buyers to exploit families, often leading to involuntary land loss. It’s an issue that has particularly impacted the Black farming community, with generations of land being divided or sold without family consent.

READ: Eternal Polk and Tharlyn Fox Talk Must-See ‘Gaining Ground’ Documentary [INTERVIEW]

Denise Hurst Green of Al Roker Entertainment first recognized the importance of this issue when she read about John Deere’s efforts to support Black landowners. She knew this story had to be told. “The significance of this issue struck me immediately, and it was important to bring attention to the generational impact of heirs’ property on Black farming communities,” she shared.

Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Eternal Polk, the documentary doesn’t just expose the problem—it also highlights the fight for solutions. With perspectives from farmers directly impacted and advocates working to protect their rights, the film showcases how Black farmers are reclaiming their land and legacy.

Tharlyn Fox, a program manager at Deere & Company, emphasizes that heirs’ property is the leading cause of involuntary land loss among Black farmers but remains relatively unknown. “Black farm owners have faced a mountain of challenges with land ownership, and one of the best ways to support them is by providing resources and education,” she said. Fox encourages everyone, not just those affected, to tune in.

You can catch the documentary for free on VONtv, available across Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and on the VON.tv website from October 24 to October 27. This is more than just a film—it’s a call to action to support Black farmers in their ongoing fight for justice and land reclamation.

Polk reflected on the importance of documenting this struggle: “History has a way of erasing itself when there’s a limited audience caring about an issue. I feel honored to have helped broaden the understanding of heirs’ property and do my part to help Black farmers reclaim what is rightfully theirs.”

This documentary is part of John Deere’s ongoing efforts to assist Black landowners through the LEAP Coalition, which works to eliminate barriers created by heirs’ property and provide much-needed resources for Black farmers.

This free screening is an opportunity to learn, engage, and support the Black farming community in their fight for rightful ownership of land that’s been in their families for generations.

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