The conference showed the determination of Black farmers to persist in their struggle against land loss and decades-long racist discrimination and that they are getting involved in broader social struggles. The group endorsed the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride at this meeting.

The Federation was formed in 1967, under the impact of the civil rights movement. Today, more than 100 cooperatives, credit unions, and community organizations—including about 10,000 working farmers, most of whom are Black—belong to the organization. Many of the farmers present at this year’s meeting were part of the class-action lawsuit, Pigford vs. Veneman, against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). That suit was part of a fight by Black farmers that forced the government to admit to long-standing racist discrimination by the USDA and its field offices in processing loans and providing other services. In 1999 the USDA and lawyers for the farmers signed a consent decree settling the lawsuit. Farmers were told that if they met minimal requirements for proving discrimination they would receive $50,000 tax-free grants from the government.

A number of speakers at the meeting addressed the question of land-loss by farmers who are Black and the lawsuit against the USDA. The keynote speaker was Vernon Parker, USDA assistant secretary for civil rights—a position the government created through the 2002 Farm Bill. Parker said the USDA “must have accountability” regarding racism, and admitted that its local offices still discriminate. He stated that the USDA is planning a “summit meeting” with organizations of Black farmers. Parker left the meeting quickly after one of the farmers asked him what he would do concretely. Congressman Arthur Davis from Alabama also spoke.

A representative from the Monitor’s office, set up as part of the consent decree in part to review the claims by farmers that were denied the promised grant, gave an update on the lawsuit. He said the government has paid $810 million so far.

Mattie Mack, a farmer from Kentucky, spoke for other farmers in the group from that state who have not received any money. “We have heard the same thing every year,” she said, “but nothing happens. What’s the problem?”

The USDA’s own figures show that of the original 21,982 claimants, 8,480—some 40 percent—were denied. Another 61,844 farmers filed “late claims.” To date, 56,388 of these have been rejected.

Daniel Bustamante, a Federation of Southern Cooperatives staff member from Laredo, Texas, encouraged the organization to support the Immigrant Workers Freedom Rides (see article in this issue). The group endorsed this activity.

Ralph Paige, the Federation’s executive director, noted in his address to the meeting that the group is organizing to bring Cuban farmers to the region this October.  
 
 
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