Farmer’s Improvement Society Part I
Courtesy of The New York Public Library
In Texas, African American Robert Lloyd Smith organized the Farmer’s Improvement Society of Texas (FIS) in December of 1890. FIS pledged to members to fight the credit and mortgage system, which it called a second slavery for African Americans. It educated members to achieve the goal of mortgage free homeownership using debt free money management, farming, and business practices. “We believe in good homes and good people inside them with plenty of good food raised at home or bought for cash.” FIS held annual agricultural fairs where it held lectures on better farming and business techniques and strategies for increasing one’s revenue streams and reducing operating expenses. FIS agricultural fairs also held competitions for its members for producing best of produce and livestock in different categories.
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