In the United States, African Americans have been losing land at a rate of 9,000 acres per week. Between 1982 and 1992 alone, the number of Black operated farms nationwide fell over 43%, while many southern states saw a decline of over 50%. Additionally, many rural southern communities have endured environmental degradation, health risks and loss of economic vitality as part of a nationwide trend of environmental racism.

When the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was created, 90% of the American people were farmers. At least 1 in 7 farmers was African American. The Federal Farm Loan Act became law on July 17, 1916, seeking to respond to the inadequacy of credit at reasonable rates for farmers. Apparently little or no thought was given to how credit would be dispensed among the various racial, gender and economic positions of farmers, and this has proven disastrous.

By 1982, only 1 in 67 farmers was African American. According to numerous reports dating back to 1965, the root of the problems faced by Black farmers is found in the discriminatory environment present in the USDA – the very federal agency established to accommodate and assist the special needs of all farmers and ranchers. Since the establishment of the Federal Farm Loan Act, the number of farms operated by African Americans has decreased by 99.9%!

Instead of looking to offer reparations, former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, the USDA, and the Department of Justice played legal and political games with Black farmers, further undermining their dignity and self-respect.

Break

Invited: Spencer Wood, PhD. Candidate – University of

Wisconsin

Tom Buller, Master’s Candidate – University of

Minnesota at Minneapolis

5:00 – 6:00 – Dr. Ridgely Muhammad - Implications of Industrialization of Agriculture for our Land and Health –

"Farmers Speak" Open Mike for farmers to tell their stories in 5 minutes. Those interested in participating will be asked to indicate beforehand on their registration form so that they can be called forward during the program.

9:00 – 11am - Plenary Session: Direct Marketing Opportunities with Businesses – Building to distribute directly to Cuba, Africa, and the Caribbean -

Our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and in Africa would like to do business with Black farmers in America. This session will bring together the farmers, shippers, government agencies, foreign buyers, researchers, packers, entrepreneurs, brokers and investors that can make these opportunities a reality.

Break

Over the last few years there is a new awareness by Black people in the cities that they need an alternative source of wholesome food. They have also heard about the plight of Black farmers and want to help. This session will bring the farmers with the products to sell in contact with the buyers and their representatives from the cities to develop long term business relationships beneficial to both. Churches, Mosques, civic organizations, community co-ops, retail outlets, restaurants, direct marketing organizations and investors are invited to participate in the planning and the development of educational and training materials that will help them promote "buying Black" when they get back home to the cities.

Land has intrinsic value beyond its food producing qualities. Farming and rural lifestyles are a "consumer product" by themselves. City people will pay to have a taste of "country living" in a natural unpolluted environment. Land owners, who may not be farmers, can learn more on how to use their land resources to generate income beyond farming.

Plenary Session: Opportunities for Land Ownership in Africa - African countries are still fighting the ravages of colonialism. Many of them have just "liberated" their farming land. Now they need expertise and equipment to make this land commercial viable. Black farmers may find it profitable to continue to operate their farms in America while at the same time participate in the agricultural development of the Mother Land. Many Black farmers have been driven out of farming in America. This session will give them an opportunity to see what may be available in Africa.

Break

Workshop Title 4: Environmental Injustice and the Loss of Black Owned Land and Communities –It is no mere coincidence that polluting industries locate in Black communities such as was done in Warren County, NC. Urban Renewal has really turned out to be "Urban Removal" which has destroyed viable Black business districts all across the South. This session will not only make you aware but teach you how to prevent the continuation of such trends and develop strategies to reclaim our inner-cities and the Black economic power base.

Each workshop will report on its findings and present opportunities for working groups or committees to further the ideas developed in the workshops. We expect these groups to continue their work into the coming year and report back at the next year’s summit on their progress.

The 5^th National Black Land Loss Summit theme is

CONGRATULATIONS to the Concerned Citizens as they celebrate their 25^th Year of Positive Social Change.

The Conservation Fund, Chapel Hill, NC

Land Loss Prevention Project, Durham, NC