By Scout Nelson
The Biden administration, through the USDA, has launched a $3.1 billion initiative targeting greenhouse gas reduction and carbon sequestration in farming. This ambitious program, known as the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, also aims to rectify the USDA's century-long history of systemic discrimination against Black, Native, and other minority farmers.
Despite the noble intentions, the program faces distrust. Critics highlight that significant funding is going to large corporations and agricultural groups, raising concerns about the direct benefits to disadvantaged farmers. Projects led by HBCUs and minority organizations, essential for farmers of color, have received smaller grants.
The USDA's history of mistrust towards Black farmers, including denied access to financial resources, has resulted in significant financial losses and land loss for many minority farmers. The department's broad definition of "historically underserved" dilutes the focus on Black farmers.
Efforts to mend fences include the allocation of $4 billion in the 2021 American Rescue Plan for debt relief to Black farmers. Subsequent legal challenges and alterations in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act have replaced this with a race-neutral program, leading to further disillusionment.
The climate-smart initiative divides funding into two tiers, with larger grants for corporations and universities and smaller grants for minority-led projects, acknowledging the limitations of HBCUs and smaller non-profits in handling large funds.
The gap between larger and smaller projects is evident. Large projects like the Iowa Soybean Association's $95 million initiative have broad, somewhat vague equity goals, while smaller projects, such as the $5 million project by Central State University, offer more targeted support to minority farmers.
The approach aims to significantly impact all states and territories by involving HBCUs and the National Black Growers Council, which are crucial in providing resources to those historically overlooked or mistreated by federal programs.
The USDA is working on rebuilding trust and directing funds to historically underserved communities through an initiative promoting inclusive, climate-smart agriculture, a complex and ongoing process that will test its commitment to equity and environmental stewardship.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev
Categories: South Dakota, General