Despite the pandemic, consumers spent $28.1 billion for Valentine’s in 2021; inflation is rising; Federal agencies have made $3.5 trillion in payments out of the $4.6 trillion in total aid, yet black farmers across the nations are still waiting for the $4 million relief fund!
Dr. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer since the age of 18 in Virginia, and the National Black Farmers Association president told The Hill he’s been pressuring lawmakers and the Biden administration to help Black farmers in need.
The American Rescue Plan Act is a $1.9 trillion relief package that President Joe Biden signed off in 2021. Part of the fund was to go towards minority farmers facing debt and financial hardship during the pandemic. Shortly thereafter, a lawsuit was filed by farmers alleging discrimination because they are white. They’ve contested the aid in courts across the country, meaning the money cannot be paid out to those who need it the most.
PBS reported that Black Farmers have been excluded from federal farm programs for decades. A systematic pattern of discrimination that the US. Department of Agriculture acknowledged.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told The Hill in a statement that it “continues to work closely with the Department of Justice to vigorously defend” the allocated funding. The agency also found that Black farmers own less than 2% of the nation’s farms while white farmers own over 96%, citing rampant discrimination over the nation’s history.
“We can’t just be consumers as Blacks. We got to be at the table and a part of these companies making sure that we get our part here, too,” according to Boyd.
To get involved, head over to www.BlackFarmers.org and www.JohnBoydJr.com. For more in-depth information about this story:Â BLACK FARMER TAKES ACTION IN FIGHT OVER STALLEDÂ $4 BILLIONÂ RELIEF FUNDING, CALLS BOYCOTT
Contact:
John Boyd, Jr.
Phone: 804-691-8528
Email: JBoyd@JohnBoydJr.com
