The USDA Coalition of Minority Employees was founded in 1994 to address discrimination within the United States Department of Agriculture. The biggest coalition accomplishment thus far is the passing of the American Rescue Plan from President Joe Biden in 2021 which creates a multi-billion dollar fund for socially disadvantaged farmers throughout the United States. The coalition has worked alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker to create the Justice for Black Farmers Act, which will go on to give even more aid to socially disadvantaged farmers.
The number of black farmers in America peaked in 1920, when there were 949,889. Today, of the country’s 3.4 million total farmers, only 1.3%, or 45,508, are black, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture in 2019. By comparison, 95% of US farmers are white.
We want to hear from you about how you can help get justice for black farmers and all farmers in need.
A farmer’s life is never an easy one. But for many African American farmers, their work has been complicated by discrimination and often at the hand of government officials. Michelle Miller looks at that history and the efforts to address it.
For several months now, the trailer for "I'm Just a Layman in Pursuit of Justice: Black Farmers Fight Against USDA ," written and directed by Shoun A. Hill and Dr. Waymon Hinson, has been shown on our site. The trailer highlights some of the stories of injustices that these farmers experienced at the hands of the USDA and FSA. You can now view the entire film virtually for FREE September 15-18. Click on this link Film Festival Plus - Film (filmfestplus.com) and register.
Mr. Lawrence Lucas, President Emeritus of the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees, facilitated a show with Black farmers on the "Speak The Truth" show.
The following 8:00 minute slideshow was created by Gary A. Johnson (Publisher Black Men In America.com and Justice For Black Farmers.com), to educated the average American citizen who knows little or nothing about the plight and the challenges of the Black American Farmers.
There are things that people should know about the Black farmers and there are reasons why all of us should care. This video tells a fraction of the story regarding the challenges of the Black farmers and their legal battles with the government. Systemic and pervasive racism, incompetence and broken promises by the USDA, are just a few of the challenges facing Black farmers and their families.
This is also an example of “Farming While Black.” Thousands of Black farmers are saddled with debt, have exhausted their savings and lost their farms, eliminating any chance of building generational wealth. For more information visit www.justiceforblackfarmers.com and www.blackmeninamerica.com/black-farmers.
For this "Speak The Truth" special on the challenges and opportunities facing the Black farmers in America, Host Harold Bell and Moderator Lawrence Lucas as they welcome our special guest Corey Lea, Executive Director of The Cowtown Foundation, Inc., and several Black Farmers. Featured clips include Senators Raphael Warnock and Corey Booker (the Addendum at the end of the video) questioning US Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
For more information visit: www.justiceforblackfarmers.com and www.blackmeninamerica.com/black-farmers.
John Boyd, Jr., Founder and President, National Black Farmers Association, is a 4th generation Black Farmer in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Boyd sued the US Dept of Agriculture (USDA) and received a Fact of Finding for Racial Discrimination Based on Race Black which led to the 1st USDA Discrimination settlement by an individual. Boyd went on to assist 10,000s of other Black and minority farmers to file discrimination complaints, lawsuits and class actions against USDA. KJ "Skippa Mak" Marley, son of Kymani Marley, is an international hip-hop artist infusing reggae and dancehall, while invoking the unmistakable musical spirit of his legendary grandfather Bob Marley to speak Truth to Power.
Justice for Black Farmers: The Law, Policy, and Politics of Debt Cancellation. The Department of Agriculture’s civil rights record is among the worst in the federal government. Black farmers have lost hundreds of billions in land and income since 1910 in large part due to federal policies—implemented by USDA—designed to drive them out of business. Panelists: Lawrence Lucas, President Emeritus, USDA Coalition of Minority Employees Tracy Lloyd McCurty, Executive Director and more.
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