Become a member of the preeminent organization for Black farmers in the United States, the National Black Farmers Association! NBFA was founded in 1995 by John Boyd, Jr, a fourth-generation Black farmer who has grappled consistently with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to secure more funding for people like him. Black farmers deal with unique challenges. For one, Black-run farms have steadily decreased from over 925,000 in 1920 to less than 35,000 in 2017 (United States Census of Agriculture). “For a very long time, Black farmers have been shut out of USDA farm lending programs, subsidy programs, and there has been a long historic pattern of discrimination,” says Boyd Jr in a 2021 interview with CBS. Yet, NBFA is fighting back through its lobbying efforts. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allots $4 billion in emergency relief for farmers of color.
By becoming a member, you can network with other Black farmers and professionals, access community newsletters, and participate in high-quality, competency-based training and technical assistance activities and events. NBFA also has, in the past, given scholarships to students.
Image credit to National Black Farmers Association.
