President-elect Joe Biden’s pick for the head of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Tom Vilsack, hosted a virtual meeting Tuesday with a litany of Black farmer organizations.
Vilsack met with the groups to discuss the significant issues facing Black farmers today. Those issues include reliable broadband internet in rural areas, the importance of the Justice for Black Farmers Act, and the discrimination Black farmers face when trying to access programs, technical and financial assistance from the USDA
The organizations that attended the virtual meeting included the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, Mississippi Association of Cooperatives, Kansas Black Farmers Association, Operation Spring Plant, Land Loss Prevention Project, the Southwest Georgia Project and several others.
From pivotal endorsement to Cabinet advice, Jim Clyburn is here for Joe Biden
According to the Guardian, there are only about 45,000 Black farmers today. In 1920, there were more than one million.
During the meeting, Vilsack affirmed his commitment to forging and establishing strong partnerships with organizations that provide assistance and support to Black farmers. Vilsack also wanted to ensure that Black farming organizations have a seat at the table while he is serving.
Biden’s appointment of Vilsack was met with criticism from environmentalists who believe he won’t take climate change seriously. The Sierra Club, an environmental organization, said the appointment of Vilsack worries environmentalists.
“We’re hopeful that Vilsack, if confirmed, will reverse many of the harmful policies put in place during the Trump administration,” Alexander Rony, a Sierra Club employee said.. “But we also know that a return to the status quo won’t be enough to meaningfully tackle climate change and racial justice.”
Source: Biden’s Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Meets With Black Farmers
