September 22, 2006 - Tenant farming emerged in the South after the Civil War as one means to acquire sufficient agricultural labor to work the land. Through this system, a landowner leases acreage to a farmer, or tenant, in return for a percentage of crops (called crop rent) or cash payments (called cash rent). Terms of tenancy vary, with either oral or written contracts spelling out relationships.

Under cash-rent contracts, the tenant agrees to pay the landowner a fixed sum per acre each year. “Front end” cash rent means the farmer pays this amount in January of the crop year. “Back end” rent allows the farmer to pay at the end of the year, using crop proceeds.

A crop-rent contract means that a portion of the crops belong to the landlord at harvest. Crops hauled to the gin or grain elevator are split along crop rent percentages. The tenant’s share of sales, typically two-thirds or three-fourths, becomes his subject to liens.

Sharecroppers are tenant farmers who lack equipment and capital, which have to be provided by landlords. Thus, they receive a smaller percentage of crops, typically 50 percent. Under sharecropper contract terms, title to the entire crop, not just the owner’s contract share, is often held by the landlord.

Back to Grand Opening Announcement