There is a long and consistent history of discrimination within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and other research groups have found that Black farmers wait four times longer than white farmers to receive a farm loan, Black farmers do not get a fair share of subsidies, disaster payments, or loans, and, as of 2016, the share of USDA lending that goes to Black farmers continues to fall. These are only a few of the documented examples found here.
On February 9th, six U.S. senators announced landmark legislation that aims to hold the USDA accountable for and correct this history of discrimination. The Justice for Black Farmers Act will give land access, resources, training, and support to Black-led non-profits and Black individuals who are willing to participate in a free farmer training program. First drafted by Cory Booker (D-NJ), the bill is now additionally endorsed by Patrick Leahy (D-VT) the National Black Farmers Association, Soul Fire Farm, National Black Food and Justice Alliance, and more Black-led organizations.
In 1920 there were nearly 1 million Black farmers in the United States. Today, due to this history of discrimination, it is estimated that there are less than 50,000 remaining Black farmers today.
“When it comes to farming and agriculture, we know that there is a direct connection between discriminatory policies within the USDA and the enormous land loss we have seen among Black farmers over the past century.’ said Senator Booker. ‘The Justice for Black Farmers Act will address and correct USDA discrimination and take bold steps to forgive the debt and restore the land that has been lost in order to empower a new generation of Black farmers to succeed and thrive.”
A history of discrimination within the USDA is clear and the Justice for Black Farmers Act is a historic step in addressing past wrongs.
Want to learn more?
Check out this historical timeline Black Farmers and the USDA, 1920 to Present created by the National Black Farmers Association and the Environmental Working Group.
From Senator Cory Booker’s Website:
End Discrimination within USDA: “The Act takes steps to once and for all end discrimination within USDA. The Act creates an independent civil rights oversight board to conduct reviews of any appeals of civil rights complaints filed against USDA, to investigate reports of discrimination within USDA, and to provide oversight of Farm Service Agency County Committees. In addition, the Act creates an Equity Commission whose responsibilities include developing recommendations to reform FSA County Committees. The Act also puts reforms in place within the USDA Office of Civil Rights, including placing a moratorium on foreclosures during the pendency of civil rights complaints.”
Protect Remaining Black Farmers from Land Loss: The Act increases the funding authorization for the USDA relending program created in the 2018 Farm Bill to resolve farmland ownership and succession, or “heirs property,” issues. The Act provides funding for pro bono assistance, including legal assistance, succession planning, and support for the development of farmer cooperatives, to Black farmers. The Act will also create and fund a new bank to provide financing and grants to Black farmer and rancher cooperative financial institutions and will forgive USDA debt of Black farmers who filed claims in the Pigford litigation.
Restore the Land Base Lost by Black Farmers: The Act creates a new Equitable Land Access Service within USDA to acquire farmland and provide land grants of up to 160 acres to existing and aspiring Black farmers. These land grants will allow hundreds of thousands of new Black farmers to return to the land in the next decade. To help ensure their success, these new Black farmers will be provided access to USDA operating loans and mortgages on favorable terms.
Create a Farm Conservation Corps: The Act creates a USDA program where young adults from socially disadvantaged communities will be provided with the academic, vocational, and social skills necessary to pursue careers in farming and ranching. Participants in the program will be paid by USDA and will serve as on-farm apprentices at no cost to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and organic farmers and ranchers with annual gross farm income of less than $250,000.00. Black participants who gain experience through this program will have priority for land grants.
Empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Advocates for Black farmers: The Act provides substantial resources to 1890s and to nonprofits who serve Black farmers so that they can provide pro bono assistance in identifying land for USDA to purchase and provide as land grants, help new Black farmers get up and running, provide farmer training, and provide other assistance including succession planning and legal assistance to Black farmers. The Act also provides new funding to HBCUs to expand their agriculture research and courses of study.
Assist All Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers: While Black farmers have suffered a unique history of discrimination, other socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers have also been harmed by discrimination. The Act substantially increases funding for USDA technical assistance and for programs such as CSP and REAP, and gives priority for these programs, as well as increased access to capital, to all socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Enact System Reforms to Help All Farmers and Ranchers: In order for existing Black farmers and the new Black farmers created by this bill to have a real chance to succeed and thrive, broader reforms to our broken food system must be enacted. The Justice for Black Farmers Act substantially reforms and strengthens the Packers and Stockyards Act in order to stop abusive practices by big multinational meatpacking companies and protect all family farmers and ranchers.
The full text of the bill can be viewed here. The section-by-section summary can be viewed here. The list of endorsements from 2020 can be viewed here.
Want to support the Justice for Black Farmers act and Black farmers near you?
Call your state senators and representatives to voice your support of this historic bill.
Follow, fund, and buy from Black Farmers and Producers from our region:
Agrico Organics Wilbraham, MA
Aan urban farm growing microgreens, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, beets, and more.
A‘a non-binary land steward, yoga practitioner, herbalist, urban homesteader, and ancestral cook.’
Clemmons Family Farm Charlotte, VT
One of Vermont's oldest and largest African American-owned farms offering African Diaspora Arts, Culture, and History programs
New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery Winchester, NH
A local family owned-distillery where they grow heirloom cider apples, grapes, blueberries, and juniper berries in their 50-acre property.
Strafford Creamery Strafford, VT
The Strafford Organic Creamery is a one-farm, one-family dairy in central Vermont. We milk 50 Guernseys and market their amazing milk in glass bottles, and in super-premium ice cream. Certified organic in 1997 and bottling on our own since 2001, we are committed to sustainable agriculture and dairy without compromises.
SuSu Community Farm and Healing Collective Brattleboro, VT
A healing collective creating ‘a future where Black and brown people in Vermont can come together to live, heal and thrive.’
Zafa Wines Isle la Motte, VT
Aa 100% women-owned vineyard that ‘has become one of the pioneers in the "New American" wine revival, focusing on hybrid grapes in Vermont.’