Study Shows Black Farmers Lost $326 Billion Worth Of Land Over Decades
Zuri Anderson, Black Information Network A new study is highlighting how state-sanctioned discrimination has financially disenfranchised Black farmers for generations. Black farmers lost over $326 billion worth of land during the 20th century, according to research published Sunday (May 1) in the American Economic Association’s Papers and Proceedings journal, per Reuters. Researchers found that racial discrimination and violence permitted by state laws ultimately led to a steep decline in Black-owned acreage between 1922 and 1977. They reportedly analyzed U.S. Department of Agriculture census data to determine their findings. Land ownership can provide
Black Farmer Takes Action In Fight Over Stalled $4 Billion Relief Funding
Dr. John Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, at the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.Photo: Getty Images By Zuri Anderson A Black farmer is speaking out amidst the legal battle over $4 billion in federal aid meant to help minority farmers. Dr. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in Virginia and the president of the National Black Farmers Association, told The Hill he's been pressuring lawmakers and the Biden administration to help Black farmers in need. President Joe Biden signed off on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package almost a