Biden-Harris Administration Pays $2 Billion to Black and Minority Farmers

In a historic move to address decades of discrimination against Black and minority farmers, the Biden-Harris Administration has distributed over $2 billion in direct payments to more than 23,000 farmers across the country. This financial assistance comes as part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), aimed at providing relief to those who were denied access to USDA lending and safety net programs due to systemic racism.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed that while the payments cannot fully compensate for the losses and pain endured by these farmers, it is a step towards acknowledging and rectifying past injustices. The hope is that this assistance will help farmers stay on their land, continue contributing to the nation’s food supply, and pursue their passion for farming.

However, for many Black farmers, this is just the beginning of addressing the deep-rooted issues they face. National Black Farmers Association Founder and President John Boyd Jr. emphasized that more needs to be done, pointing out that the financial assistance is like putting a bandage on a wound that requires open-heart surgery. Boyd is currently fighting for 120% debt relief for Black farmers through a federal lawsuit, seeking the $5 billion approved by Congress in 2021.

Despite facing legal challenges and delays, Congress amended the law to provide broader financial assistance to farmers struggling with USDA-backed loans and those who have faced discrimination. The payments received by farmers ranged from $10,000 to $500,000, offering a glimmer of hope for those who have long been marginalized in the agricultural industry.