Washington Informer
Black Farmers, HBCUs Winners in Farm Bill
WASHINGTON INFORMER — A new farming bill could act as a start to ending the long-standing disparities and discrimination in the agriculture field.
By Stacy Brown
Racial disparities in American farming have always existed. In a 1998 settlement, the United States Department of Agriculture admitted to systemic discrimination against Black farmers. In 2010, similar actions were taken against Native Americans.
Now, a new farming bill could act as a start to ending the long-standing disparities and discrimination in the agriculture field.
On Monday, Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, joined other CBC members on a conference call with the media to discuss the passage of new legislation they said will help level the playing field.
“This is what was needed,” Richmond said.
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), who introduced the Fair Access for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2018 in the House, called it a “significant win.”
Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Democratic Alabama Sen. Doug Jones introduced a companion measure in the Senate.
Also among CBC members on the teleconference were Democratic Reps. Alma Adams of North Carolina and Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas.
“The CBC is a longtime advocate for Black farmers, [for] ending food insecurity, for enlightening and improving [historically Black colleges and universities]” and more, Lee said. “No other voice is as sound and as vibrant.”
Black farmers, who collectively have filed and won multibillion-dollar lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture in recent decades for discriminatory practices, have new protections in the farm bill.
As first reported by Essence magazine, one involves the ability to pass their farms down to relatives and heirs.
Some estimates show that 60 percent of land owned by African Americans in the U.S. are heirs’ property, which, according to the USDA, is “land that has been passed down informally from generation to generation. In most cases, it involves landowners who died without a will.”
In order to access USDA loans for crops and other needs, farmers must have a designated farm number, which requires documentation verifying ownership of the land, Essence reported.
Because there is often no transfer of title with heirs’ property, many Black and other farmers of color are left without access to vital resources, the magazine noted.
The 2018 farm bill will now allow heir-property farmers to apply for USDA programs.
The farm bill will also provide a major boost to the nation’s HBCUs — specifically 19 Black land-grant universities, such as North Carolina A&T, which date back to the 1890s.
These public institutions will get funding, which the CBC said some states have been “unfairly denying them for years.”
The bill does away with a decades-old provision mandating that these HBCUs could only carry over 20 percent of federal funding that wasn’t used in a calendar year; the rule didn’t apply to predominantly white land-grant universities.
The bill brings $40 million in mandatory funding and another $40 million in discretionary funding for new scholarships at each of the nation’s land-grant universities.
This means that each school will receive at least $2 million in new funding for scholarships to attract students over the next five years, according to a breakdown by Essence.
Fellow CBC member Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) and Adams, an educator who founded the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, are among those who championed the provision.
“We know farmers are aging out, and we’re trying to get younger folks interested in the field,” Adams said.
The measure also includes $10 million a year to establish Centers of Excellence — research facilities on at least three HBCU campuses — the sites will be selected by the secretary of agriculture) with specific focuses, such as working to bolster food security.
Richmond said he hoped that it would help alleviate so-called food deserts (a lack of fresh fruit and produce) that exist in many urban and rural communities nationwide.
Moreover, the farm bill gives seniors, families with children, and others who are struggling financially access to meals and healthy food via government-funded nutrition programs.
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), was a sticking point in congressional negotiations; Democrats accused Republicans of attempting to dismantle nutrition by imposing work requirements on recipients.
The final farm bill, which has bipartisan support, does not require such rules.
This article originally appeared in the Washington Informer.
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The Election Isn’t Over Yet! Vote for Best of The DMV 2026
The polls are still open for Best of The DMV 2026! Cast your vote for your favorite local businesses and community leaders before the deadline on November 8.
The election isn’t over yet, DMV!
There’s still one more vote to cast this year!
From your favorite restaurants and neighborhood businesses to local artists and community leaders, it’s time to recognize the best of D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Best of The DMV 2026 voting closes Sunday, November 8!
Make your voice heard and vote for your favorites!
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In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, learn how to protect your digital life and discover career paths in tech with BDPA-DC’s Perry Carter.
How can individuals, families, and businesses protect themselves from growing cyber threats?
In recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes sits down with Perry Carter, President of BDPA-DC, to discuss online safety, protecting personal information, and navigating today’s digital world.
From recognizing scams to understanding cybersecurity education and career opportunities, Carter shares insights on why digital security matters to everyone.
The conversation also highlights BDPA-DC’s commitment to technology education, professional development, and opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Watch, learn, and share! Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility.
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Best of The DMV x Clearing the Air Meet and Greet | The Washington Informer
The Washington Informer and GWBCC hosted a night celebrating DMV leaders and vital environmental solutions. Catch the highlights from this impactful community event.
On October 5, 2026, The Washington Informer and the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce (GWBCC) hosted the Best of The DMV x Clearing the Air Meet and Greet at The Guest House in Washington, D.C.
The evening introduced guests to two Washington Informer initiatives. Best of The DMV celebrates the businesses, leaders and creatives shaping our region, as chosen by readers. Clearing the Air is our solutions journalism series on environmental health in the DMV, covering air quality, data centers and the responses making a difference across D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to GWBCC for partnering with us.
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In this interview, he reflects on the viral moments that helped shape his career, his impact on DMV media and culture, and his transition into music as he continues to build his creative career.
Video Producer: Demarco Rush
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