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Just pay up
September 12, 2010
For decades, Black farmers dealt with devastating discrimination from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Because of it, many lost their land. It cost them dearly, and it took the government years to admit it. The Senate needs to appropriate the funds for Pigford II, lest the shame grow even deeper.
Black farmers: White House must make passing settlement funding immediate priority
July 26, 2010
I am concerned that Congress will not act to fully fund the Black farmers settlement before it expires. By agreement amongst the parties it had been extended 50 days from June 29, 2010. This year I have attended the funerals of many Black farmers who passed before ever seeing this case resolved.
82-year-old Black farmer arrested, charged with making terrorist threats
May 17, 2009
Harry Young, an 82-year-old Black farmer from Owensboro, Kentucky, was arrested and released on $50,000 bond in connection with allegations of threatening U.S. Department of Agriculture employees – terroristic threatening. It all stems from a contested foreclosure and sale of his family farm in 2005.
The last plantation
February 3, 2009
In 1920, at the height of Black farm ownership, one in seven U.S. farms was Black-operated; by 1992, the number had fallen to one in 100. From discriminatory lending practices to foreclosures, the USDA’s policies have directly contributed to a massive loss of Black land wealth.