USDA

Barbara Norman, a blueberry farmer in Michigan, has waited more than a year for debt relief originally promised under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Black and brown farmers say Inflation Reduction Act breaks promise of relief for 'past wrongs'

Dana Cronin

The Inflation Reduction Act repeals and replaces part of the American Rescue Plan Act that earmarked $4 billion in debt relief for farmers of color.

The American Rescue Plan Act promised to relieve farmers of color of $4 billion in debt. One year later, farmers are still waiting.

Harvest Public Media

One year later, farmers of color are still waiting on billions of federal relief dollars

Dana Cronin

The American Rescue Plan promised $4 billion in debt relief to “socially disadvantaged farmers.” But a swarm of lawsuits from banks and white farmers alleging discrimination has put the aid on hold.

Brendalyn King and Osei Doyle, partners and co-founders of the Salem Hemp Kings, pose in front of 244 acres of land they purchased last year around Lake Placid in central Missouri. They plan to grow hemp and process the fibers into materials that serve as wood alternatives. For instance, hemp stalks can be ground up into hemp hurd and pressed together into floor boards.

Harvest Public Media

Black farmers see new opportunities in the budding industrial hemp industry

Corinne Ruff

There’s a glaring disparity issue in industrial hemp production — just 6% of producers are Black. A couple in Missouri hopes to create the state’s first Black-owned hemp processing site.

Harvest Public Media

African Swine Fever Inches Closer To The U.S. With Infections In Dominican Republic

Seth Bodine

A viral outbreak in hogs just off the U.S. coast has U.S. officials ramping up efforts to make sure it doesn’t decimate the American pork industry....

Harvest Public Media

The White House Seeks To Boost Competition In The Meat Industry

Seth Bodine

Updated July 9, 12:09 p.m.: President Joe Biden issued an executive order on Friday directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make rules to...

TSPR Local

Grassley Wants Appeal of Pork Processing Line Speeds Decision

Iowa's senior U.S. senator says he wants the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Justice to appeal a recent federal court ruling that keeps…

Dray Williams, a rancher in Bristow, Oklahoma, says he tried several times to get loans from the FSA before finally wrangling a small loan. Williams says he hopes the additional $1 billion in the stimulus package makes getting loans easier.

Harvest Public Media

USDA Pauses Debt Relief Payments For Farmers Of Color Following Judge Ruling

Seth Bodine

Updated 3:08 p.m., June 11: A federal judge paused the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s debt relief program for farmers of color. The payments are part...

Drusilla James, a rancher in Wewoka, Oklahoma stands on her 40 acres of land. She grew up raising animals with her mother. She says she hasn't been able to get loans from the Farm Service Agency.

Harvest Public Media

Black Farmers Will Receive Stimulus Aid After Decades of USDA Discrimination

Seth Bodine

John Boyd Jr. believes Black farmers are going extinct. As the president of the National Black Farmers Association and a farmer in Virginia, he’s been...

Farmers agree to conserve the land for 10 to 15 years and get yearly rental payments in return as a part of the Conservation Reserve Program.

Harvest Public Media

USDA Extends Conservation Reserve Program Deadline, Increased Rental Rates Possible

Seth Bodine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for the largest private land conservation program in the country, following a shortfall in...

Alvin Lee watches his cows outside his barn near Wewoka, Oklahoma. He has about about 20 cows and 160 acres of land.

Harvest Public Media

After Decades of Discrimination Lawmakers Propose Justice for Black Farmers

Seth Bodine

It’s a cold February afternoon, and Alvin Lee’s cows are hungry. He says he has to put three or four bales of hay out every other day, and he only has...