USDA declined to attend this Black farmers’ conference. Sanford Bishop says “We have got to keep up the fight.”

ALBANY – About 100 black farmers, ranchers and landowners gathered at the 42nd annual Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund’s (FSC/LAF) Georgia Farmers Conference Friday. 

The FSC/LAF is a cooperative association of black farmers and landowners in the South. The federation works to empower these communities through cooperative economic development, land retention and advocacy. The conference hosts farmers of all experience levels, from those who have been farming row crops for decades to those with a newfound interest in growing their own food. 

The group attended workshops on forestry and conservation management, commodity loan programs and the development of cooperatives, which are democratic, people-centered businesses owned and controlled by their members. They’re formed by a group of farmers to access better markets, affordable supplies and shared resources. 

One of the key workshops on farm management hosted USDA and county Farm Service Agency staff in previous years. On Friday, about 50 people crammed into a tiny room to hear from these USDA officials about accessing farm loans, credit and programs. 

However, the USDA failed to show up. Tandelyn Daniel, the FSC/LAF’s director of communications and membership, said the USDA has been a long-time partner and supporter of the federation’s work. 

“Typically every year we do have USDA officials here,” she said. “This year, they declined.” 

Daniel said the USDA didn’t provide a reason for not participating; however, Cornelius Key, the FSC/LAF’s Georgia coordinator, said they were told that with administration changes, USDA officials were unsure what information to share at the conference and what would be susceptible to change as President Trump’s administration continues to cut back on federal programs and spending.

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., addressed some of these impacts to the crowd as the conference’s keynote speaker. He emphasized that American agriculture is under threat, criticizing the president’s actions to downsize government, cut programs and reduce funding.

Bishop pointed out the immediate consequences of Trump’s decisions, including reversing Biden-era environmental orders and freezing federal funding, which paused spending on critical USDA programs such as the Conservation Stewardship Program and Rural Energy Assistance Program. The freeze also affected the Inflation Reduction Act, which had provided billions in funding for climate-smart practices and financial assistance for minority farmers who faced discrimination. Bishop mentioned the frustration of his constituents, who were upset about halted funding without any notice.

Bishop expressed concern over the disbanding of USAID, which affected Georgia farmers who supplied food for international food aid programs. 

“I’ve heard from several international feeding organizations that millions of dollars of food is sitting in storage, waiting for the administration to decide whether to dump it or ship it,” he said.

Immigration policies also raised issues for H2A farm workers, with the possibility that they could be caught in removal efforts targeting undocumented immigrants. 

On a more positive note, Bishop noted that tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could encourage American companies to source more domestic produce, which might benefit in-season agriculture.

Still, Bishop encouraged the farmers in the room to keep fighting and called organizations like the FSC/LAF necessary. 

“Don’t give up,” he said. “We need you to have a seat at the table. We need diversity of thought. Diversity means different groups, multiple groups, participating. Equity means having equal opportunity to participate and to enjoy. Inclusion means everyone having the right and the opportunity to participate. These are not dirty words.”

Daniel said the federation has been true to its mission for 58 years and will continue to be so. She said in the backdrop of the current political environment, it’s even more important for black farmers to find community.

“There is a lot of isolation as the number of black farmers dwindles,” she said. “But look at the networking that’s going on here. You came, you learned about something, and now you’ve just met Farmer Joseph, who does cotton and you guys are sharing knowledge in the old way we used to share.” 

Farmers crowded together for the workshop on cooperative development. They listened in on why cooperatives are important, how they can start one in their local communities and how the federation can help.

Naomi Thompkins, the senior cooperative development fellow, said cooperatives are a vital tool for economic empowerment and community resilience, especially in rural areas. 

“It’s all about sharing information and educating each other,” Thompkins said. “If you guys come in and one person grows peas, one person grows collards, and they might specialize in those two things or do it a certain way, they can teach each other and capitalize on now everyone being able to learn from everyone’s expertise based on their backgrounds.”

Two different sessions focused on heirs’ property, which is property that’s been passed down through family members by inheritance, without a will or estate planning strategy. This is an insecure form of title, leaving land vulnerable to speculation and historically contributing to black land loss. 

“A lot of African American families have heirs’ property,” Daniel said. “So we try to educate them about ways they can clear the title and become the rightful owner for generational wealth purposes.” 

Velisha Jackson, a Worth County farmer, is in the process of putting land her family farmed for four generations back into production. She said she recalls eating her grandfather’s freshly grown produce as a little girl and wants to get back to those roots of eating from the land. 

She’s been a member of the FSC/LAF since she began her farming journey in 2017 and said the organization had been a catalyst in introducing her to resources that supported new and beginning farmers. 

Jackson has about 300 acres of land that she said she is trying to make productive “as quickly as possible.” For a portion, she’s acquired hunting licenses; in another area she grows pine through a Reforestation Natural Resources Conservation Service grant.

She said over the years she’s amassed some seed money and wants to start growing cabbage, collards, mustard, kale and beets. Jackson said, especially in this political climate, she recognizes the importance of mentorships and cooperatives.

While she isn’t nervous about administration changes, she said she will continue seeking mentorship from other farmers to guide her through crucial steps like building relationships with the USDA. 

“Needing to eat is what we all have in common,” she said. “To be in charge of what we consume – to me the young, small farmer is the key to getting back to wholesome healthy products.”

Jackson’s husband, Willie Jackson, who works alongside her, said he hopes the U.S. leadership sees the importance of federal programs that help farmers.

“The federal aspect of this is important just to remain on a level playing field,” he said. “We just want equality.”