In a historic move, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it has distributed more than $2 billion in direct payments to Black and other minority farmers who have faced discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This initiative marks a significant step towards addressing the systemic biases that have plagued minority farmers for generations.
Substantial payouts
According to the USDA, over 23,000 farmers have been approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000. Additionally, another 20,000 aspiring farmers, who were denied USDA loans, received between $3,500 and $6,000 each. The majority of these payments were made to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that this aid is “not compensation for anyone’s loss or the pain endured, but it is an acknowledgment by the department.”
A history of discrimination
For decades, the USDA has systematically refused to process loans from Black farmers, granted smaller loans compared to their white counterparts, and foreclosed on properties more swiftly when Black farmers encountered financial difficulties.
John Boyd Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, acknowledged that the aid is beneficial but insufficient. “It’s like putting a bandage on somebody that needs open-heart surgery,” Boyd stated. “We want our land, and I want to be very, very clear about that.”
Ongoing legal battles and legislative changes
Boyd continues to fight for 120% debt relief for Black farmers, a provision approved by Congress in 2021 but never realized. This $5 billion initiative was part of the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, but legal challenges from white farmers arguing constitutional violations stalled its implementation.
In response, Congress amended the law, broadening the financial aid to a wider group of farmers. The revised legislation allocated $3.1 billion to assist farmers with USDA-backed loans and $2.2 billion specifically for those discriminated against by the agency.
Personal accounts of injustice
Wardell Carter, a Black farmer from Mississippi, shared his family’s struggles since his father purchased 85 acres of land in 1939. Despite persistent efforts, they were denied loan applications, faced harassment, and had to rely on outdated farming methods due to lack of equipment.
Without proper funding, Carter’s family could only farm a portion of their land, significantly impacting their profitability. Even when they secured a bank loan, the interest rate was an exorbitant 100%.
Boyd also recounted his own harrowing experiences with racial discrimination. “We face blatant, in-your-face, real discrimination,” he said, describing how his loan applications were destroyed and how he was subjected to racial slurs and intimidation.
At 65, Carter feels he is too old to farm his land. However, he is hopeful that the USDA payments will enable his nephew to revive the family farm. “We want to pitch in to buy my nephew a tractor,” Carter said, expressing his determination to see his family’s legacy continue.
This monumental step by the Biden administration seeks to rectify historical injustices and pave the way for a more equitable future in American agriculture.