IN 1920 ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA, THERE WERE ABOUT 925,000 BLACK FARMERS, OR ABOUT 14% OF ALL FARMERS.
A CENTURY LATER, THERE WERE ONLY 42,000 OR 1%.
MUCH OF THAT IS A LEGACY OF SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION IN AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS.
ALI ROGIN REPORTS ON HOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO HELP FARMERS WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.
ALI: TODAY, BLACK FARMERS OWNED LESS THAN 1% OF U.S.
FARMLAND, ACCORDING TO THE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT’S LATEST FARMER CENSUS BUT EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO HELP THESE FARMERS RECLAIM THEIR LOST LAND.
LAST MONTH, THE USDA ISSUED OVER $2.2 BILLION IN PAYMENTS TO BLACK AND OTHER MINORITY FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
IT’S A MOVE THE DEPARTMENT HOPES WILL OFFSET DECADES…
