House Agriculture Committee holds hearing on the State of Black Farmers in the U.S.

On March 25th, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing titled “A Hearing to Review the State of Black Farmers in the U.S”

In his opening statement, House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, the first African American to chair this committee, outlined the well-documented decades of discrimation against Black farmers by USDA, which was a factor in the loss of Black farmers, from 14% of the US farmers in 1920 to less than 2% of the farming population today. 

“This festering wound on the soul of American agriculture must be healed. That is why I have repeatedly called for a new conversation between Black farmers and USDA. This hearing is an opportunity for us, together, with Secretary Vilsack, to begin that conversation and examine the Secretary’s ideas and reforms that I understand are being contemplated at USDA. This hearing today is a very public way to address the deep mistrust that many farmers of color feel towards USDA, and to make sure that in an increasingly competitive agriculture economy no talent or ability is ignored or left behind. We no longer can afford that approach.”

Witnesses included:

Outlined below are some of the major themes that were discussed during the four-hour hearing. 

The full hearing is available here: https://www.c-span.org/video/?510242-1/house-hearing-black-farmers-us 

Official documents are available here: https://docs.house.gov/Committee/Calendar/ByEvent.aspx?EventID=111400 


American Rescue Plan 

Throughout the hearing, there was bipartisan acknowledgement that Black farmers had been discriminated against for decades, though there was disagreement on how to undo this wrong and create a more equitable playing field. 

Democrats argued that the $5 billion included in the American Rescue Plan allotted for “Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color” would help farmers of color respond to the devastating consequences of the pandemic and resulting economic downturn, as well as address longstanding inequity in agriculture. Some Republican representatives criticized the Bill during the hearing, saying that all farmers needed support, not just Black farmers.

Secretary Tom Vilsack noted that just 0.1% of the Trump administration’s coronavirus relief money went to Black farmers. Black farmers received $20 million of nearly $26 billion in two rounds of payments under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Vilsack outlined the American Rescue Plan provisions that are aimed at supporting farmers of color: 

  • $4 billion in direct relief payments to help farmers of color pay-off outstanding USDA farm loan debts and related taxes;

  • A racial equity commission and related activities to address systemic racism across USDA;

  • Grants and loans to improve land access & address heirs’ property issues;

  • Expanded outreach, technical assistance, market development, and support for land access

USDA & Secretary Vilsack 

Several members of the committee asked Secretary Vilsack to answer questions about what was done to 1) address proven issues of systemic racism at USDA, 2) how USDA would ensure that small and/or socially disadvantaged farmers would have access to existing programs. 

Vilsack mentioned: 

  • The recent appointment of Dr. Dewayne Goldmon as Senior Advisor for Racial Equity to the Secretary of Agriculture, who will help put an equity lens on any programs developed;

  • Being transparent about resources: USDA will keep track of resources allocated to various programs, and how much goes to socially disadvantaged farmers;

  • Partnerships with 1890 Land Grant Universities, HBCUs, and local organizations to support outreach. 

Building trust 

Building trust was a major theme throughout the hearing: witnesses mentioned the impact of discriminatory practices (many times experienced firsthand) in creating distrust of USDA. One of the main solutions brought up throughout the hearing was to focus on collaborating and partnering with local, trusted entities. 

Secretary Vilsack seemed very aware of this issue, acknowledging that the justified distrust in USDA was a hindrance in supporting farmers of color, and that USDA had some work to do to build this trust. In addition to collaborating with local, trusted, entities, Vilsack mentioned the need for agency staffing to be representative of the populations they worked with, and expanding USDA’s internship program to address that need. 

Organic agriculture

Organic was mentioned several times during the hearing: 

  • Sedrick Rowe, one of the testimony witnesses, is an organic farmer based in Georgia, growing, amongst other things, organic peanuts and organic hemp. 

  • Representative Chellie Pingree (ME) mentioned organic agriculture as a way to build soil health and sequester carbon. She asked Rowe about what new initiatives would encourage farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices, and how to ensure that he and Black farmers could take advantage of such programs. Rowe responded that the soil health requirements for organic certification are important and verifiable standards, and that organic practices are the way to keep soils healthy. He recommended considering organic standards in any proposed programs relative to soil health.  

  • Representative Rodney Davis (IL) asked Rowe about his experience navigating the new hemp program, along with other USDA organic programs. Rowe mentioned the limited research for growing hemp in Georgia, and was interrupted because the allotted time ran out. 

  • Representative Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ) asked Rowe to describe the reasons he chose to produce organically, and if he knew of ways to help more Black farmers participate in the USDA Organic certification program. Unfortunately, time ran out and Rowe was asked to reply in writing for the record.

  • Representative Al Lawson (FL) asked what could be done to specifically support Black farmers interested in organic. Sherrod answered briefly before running out of time. She highlighted the need to ensure that Black farmers have access to all the support and programs available to make them successful.

NOC recognizes that access to the organic movement and organic certification has not been equal across racial groups. Systemic racism has kept our movement from reaching its full potential. NOC’s statement on Racial Equity is available here. This statement is a “living” statement, and is amended as we grow in our understanding.

NOC hosts a Racial Equity in Organic resource list, with resources collected with the help of many individuals and organizations. 

Please let us know if you have any feedback or recommendations. 

Alice Runde