National Black Farmers Association President, John Boyd, Called $2B In Relief A Huge Win

After decades of protests, numerous failed Congressional bills, dozens of lawsuits, Black farmers will receive payment from the $2.2 Billion Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) this week. Nearly two years ago President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Section 22007 authorizing compensation for discrimination in farm lending at the hands of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Approximately 43,000 farmers will each receive up to $500,000 with the average award $82,000. Awards are financial assistance for farmers who experienced racial and other discriminatory practices before 2021. Nearly 40 years ago, I first experienced these injustices and led in forming the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). No matter how it is sliced, the $2.2 billion in payouts is historic. In 1999, Black farmers received a $1 billion payout. In 2013 a $1.25 billion payment was made in a late filers' lawsuit settlement. BlackFarmers.org