Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried applauded the introduction of the Justice for Black Farmers Act and the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Colors Act in the U.S. Senate.
The Justice for Black Farmers Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, seeks to end the discrimination and the injustices historically faced by Black farmers within the USDA. This Act includes investments in education and training for the next generation, along with oversight within the USDA to investigate reports of discrimination.
The Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, would provide $5 billion in funding to support Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and other farmers of color. These funds would help farmers pay off outstanding farm loan debts and help them manage the economic impacts of the pandemic. The legislation was applauded earlier today by Katharine Ferguson, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“I’m thrilled to see these bold, ambitious proposals being introduced to address the marginalizing systems of today, and replace them with equitable and inclusive agriculture policies that create opportunities for all,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. “Thank you Senators Booker, Warnock, Warren, Gillibrand, Smith, Leahy, and colleagues for working to ensure that current and future farmers of color have a level playing field on which to succeed. The most powerful message we can send communities of color is the commitment to change. Change that shows we’ve listened, change that is empowering, and change that makes a difference – the change we all seek.”
Last week, Commissioner Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released the FDACS Biden-Harris Administration Partnership Plan: Keeping Florida & America Growing, a 30-page state-federal partnership plan that outlined nearly 40 policies and initiatives for collaboration with the Biden Administration. Building on the historic diversity and inclusion policy changes instituted at FDACS, Commissioner Fried proposed the Biden Administration establish grant matching for Land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), create a joint equity advisory commission with state departments of agriculture, support several provisions from Senator Booker’s Justice for Black Farmers Act, and other ideas to promote racial equity in agriculture.
