Black Farmers Reach Deal with Federal Government
The Obama administration has reached a deal with black farmers that could provide 1.25 billion dollars in compensation over decades of alleged racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture.
John Boyd almost lost his farm near South Hill 15 years ago because he could not get an operating loan from USDA.
Boyd: The black farmers were denied loans, there was a poor processing time for black farmers versus white farmers.
Boyd founded the National Black Farmers Association, rode a mule 17 days to Washington, entered a lawsuit, and in 1999 got a billion-dollar settlement, but he says some 80,000 farmers were left out, and with yesterday’s settlement could get $50,000 compensation each.
Fishburne: That’s significant.
Boyd: Yeah. I would say so. If someone can’t pay their light bill and phone bill and taxes on their land, I think it would be a real boost for them.
The $1.25 billion is still subject to congressional approval, and Boyd plans to be in Washington again Monday with his organization to lobby for his cause.
Charles Fishburne, WCVE News.
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