Black Farmers Face New Troubles

February 15, 2011

Despite President Obama’s recent signature on landmark civil rights legislation, black farmers seeking justice for decades of discrimination still face significant hurdles. Confusion over the settlement and the claims process could leave thousands of black farmers out in the cold.

Dr. John W. Boyd, president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, will explain how many black farmers missed their initial opportunity to have their cases heard, and how the current atmosphere could result in more of the same. In Boyd’s words, “a rapidly developing crisis threatens to sabotage black farmers’ last best hope.”

Boyd - who was present when President Obama signed the landmark Claims Resolution Act of 2010 in December - will also offer an update on how the settlement is moving ahead, including a look at the cases of individual farmers from across the country. The settlement is designed to remedy decades of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.