Background
Agricultural Missions, Inc. (AMI) was founded in 1930 by Dr. John R. Mott with a bold vision: to stand alongside rural peoples around the world in their struggle for justice, dignity, and opportunity. From its earliest days, AMI brought together agricultural educators, mission leaders, and laypeople to strengthen village life, improve food systems, and address the inequities facing rural communities.
By 1942, AMI was formally incorporated as a nonprofit. Over the decades, it became a trusted convener and innovator—supporting agricultural missionaries in more than fifty countries, fostering training for rural pastors, and creating forums where churches and grassroots leaders could define strategies for equitable rural development.
Living with the Mandate
A pivotal milestone came in 1979, when AMI’s Jayuya Consultation in Puerto Rico produced Living with the Mandate. This document reshaped AMI’s work around two enduring commitments:
- To support grassroots people’s organizations—rural farmers, women, Indigenous groups, and youth movements organizing for land, food, and justice.
- To educate U.S. constituencies—helping faith communities and civil society learn directly from the lived struggles of rural people worldwide.
Through this approach, AMI facilitated exchanges that connected Black farmers in the U.S. South with campesinos in Latin America, women leaders in Brazil with grassroots organizers in Africa, and youth cooperatives across Asia and the Caribbean. These encounters helped forge a global solidarity rooted in shared experience and mutual learning.
The COVID-19 pandemic marked one of AMI’s most difficult chapters, halting international travel and suspending key initiatives in West Africa. Yet, even amid lockdowns, AMI’s partners in Sierra Leone and Liberia sustained programs for girls’ education and youth agriculture, with support from long-standing funders.
Today, AMI is entering a period of renewal. Anchored by its mission—to accompany rural peoples in the struggle to overcome racial and economic injustice—AMI continues to build bridges between the rural South in the United States and grassroots communities in West Africa. Current work includes:
A Period of Renewal
Today, AMI is entering a period of renewal. Anchored by its mission—to accompany rural peoples in the struggle to overcome racial and economic injustice—AMI continues to build bridges between the rural South in the United States and grassroots communities in West Africa. Current work includes:
- The West Africa Initiative, with programs in Youth in Agriculture and Gender Justice for girls.
- Study Sessions & Site Visits, which connect rural leaders across borders to share strategies for food sovereignty, racial equity, and sustainable development.
Timeline
1930
Founding of AMI by Dr. John R. Mott.
1942
Incorporation as a 501(c)(3).
1960s–1970s
Growth into an ecumenical initiative, centering solidarity with rural communities.
1979
“Living with the Mandate” – AMI affirms its commitment to accompany communities in justice struggles.
Present
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