Statement in support of Black Farmers as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Thus, we stand ready to work with the Administration, Congress and USDA to ensure that black farmers are supported equitably as part of any/all relief & recovery efforts, including the CARES Act and all other resources and programs provided by Congress. In this regard, we specifically request the following:
- Immediate full debt write off relief without penalties with continued eligibility for USDA programs and loan services for all black farmers that prevailed and or participated in the black farmer discrimination lawsuit (BFDL) as part of Pigford I and II.
- Priority for emergency grants and loans as part of the CARES Act and resources provided as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- $50 to $100 million as leverage for a black farmer production credit association & financing institution to provide direct credit to black farmers, landowners and Ag. Businesses and Enterprises.
- Funds allocated to the heirs’ property relending program as approved in the recently passed heirs property legislation to begin providing funding to start adequately addressing the heirs’ property issue in the black community.
- Commission and funding of a report by the Small Socially Disadvantaged Farmers & Ranchers Policy Research Center located at Alcorn State University to immediately begin researching, analyzing and developing reports on the economic impact of COVID-19 on black farmers and landowners.
- Development of creative insurance products and programs backed and supported by USDA.
- $50 million in Rural Development and CDBG funds specifically for developing and/or strengthening food system infrastructure owned and controlled by black farmers, cooperatives and institutions.
- Twenty-five per cent (25%) set aside of 2501 funding for historically black community-based organizations with a history of working with black farmers, landowners and rural underserved communities OR the creation of a new program funded at $10 million specifically for the original purpose of 2501 funding, in order to continue and expand outreach efforts to black farmers and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
THE NETWORK OF BLACK FARM ORGANIZATIONS & ADVOCATES (and region/states represented)
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund (Southeast Region)
Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation (AR)
Oklahoma Black Historical Research Project (OK)
Land Loss Prevention Project (NC)
Kansas Black Farmers Association (KS)
Southwest Georgia Project for Community Education, Inc. (GA)
Operation Spring Plant (NC)
Landowners Association of Texas (TX)
Rural Advancement Fund (SC)
Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association (NC)
Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MS)
Alabama State Association of Cooperatives (AL)
