What does land mean to Mr. Turner in Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry?

Sharecropping and the land on which Mr. Turner works mean he can care for his family..... not much else. But for him, it at least means he can take care of his own.

This year I earned me near two hundred dollars after Mr. Montier took his half of the crop money, but I ain’t seen a penny of it. In fact, if I manages to come out even without owin’ that man nothin’, I figures I’ve had a good year.