The history of discrimination against Black farmers by the USDA is a dark chapter in American agriculture. The USDA has acknowledged its extensive history of discrimination directed at Black farmers and other marginalized groups, including denying them access to low-interest loans, subsidy payments, grant programs, and other forms of assistance. This discrimination has deep roots in the history of the country’s agricultural and financial institutions, dating back to the post-Civil War era.
Following the Civil War, many formerly enslaved African Americans pursued independent farming, only to be met with hostility, violence, and exclusion. The promises of “40 acres and a mule” were unfulfilled, and the Southern Homestead Act, designed to distribute land to formerly enslaved individuals, failed due to poor land quality and hostility from White people. Sharecropping and tenant farming further exploited Black farmers, trapping them in cycles of debt and poverty.
Despite these challenges, Black land ownership gradually increased, reaching an all-time high by 1910. However, systemic barriers and legal discrimination continued to limit Black farmers’ ability to own land and succeed. The USDA’s discriminatory practices, including denying loans, delaying loan processing times, and offering worse loan terms to Black farmers, contributed to their economic struggles.
In the 1980s, Black farmers began to organize and file complaints against the USDA, leading to the Pigford v. Glickman class-action lawsuit in 1997. The lawsuit resulted in settlements totaling over $2 billion for Black farmers who had faced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. Despite these settlements, Black farmers continued to face challenges, leading to a renewed push to tackle discrimination in recent years.
New initiatives, such as the USDA’s Equity Commission and financial assistance programs, aim to address historical discrimination and promote equity within USDA programs. The USDA has issued payments totaling $2.2 billion to eligible farmers who experienced discrimination, acknowledging the pain and loss suffered by Black farmers.
Moving forward, policy recommendations include heirs’ property reform to address land loss due to unclear titles, as well as land acquisition and preservation programs to help Black farmers buy back lost land or acquire new land. The Justice for Black Farmers Act and the upcoming farm bill present opportunities to address past injustices and build a more just and equitable food and farm system that supports Black farmers.
