The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, BFAA Tillery, NC

Welcome! You have found the official home of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association based in Tillery, North Carolina. Please take the time to look around and drop us a note. Click here to visit President Gary Grant's blog on matters of black land loss and racial injustice. We are committed to securing justice for small farmers and combating environmental injustice facing rural people around the world. Yours for peace. -- Gary R. Grant.

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About Us

Welcome to BFAA-US.ORG, the online home for the Black Farmers & Agriculturalists Association. Please view our site and get valuable info on what's happening to one of America's most precious resources, THE BLACK FARMER.

BFAA (Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association) is a non-profit organization created to respond to the issues and concerns of Black farmers in the U.S. and abroad. Formed in 1997, the organization boasts a membership of over 1,500 farmers nationwide, and 21 state chapters.

BFAA was also organized to monitor the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the historic 1999 Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Pigford v. Glickman, which was to award 20,000 Black farmers $2.5 billion in damages for loan discrimination practiced committed by the federal government. As of May 2002, only 40% of the 60% of farmers who have filed have received their awards. BFAA is committed to seeing that every Black farmer gets their award settlement and the USDA stops its continuing practices of discrimination against Black farmers.

We invite you to share in our organization's vision to inform, enlighten, and educate the world about the past, present, and future of African-American farmers...

NOTE: THIS ORGANIZATION IS NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE GROUP OUT OF COVINGTON, TN.

Gary Grant's Blog Entries

BFAA Latest News

12th National Black Land Loss Summit - April 8-9, 2011, SAVE THE DATE!

Questions about the Pigford II Settlement?

Black Farmers Case
Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, Case No. 08-mc-0511 (PLF) (D.D.C)

If you have questions about the Pigford II Settlement signed by President Barack Obama on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, you can go to:

www.blackfarmercase.com or call 1-866-950-5547. This web site and toll free number have been established to help people understand what this bill does.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the BFAA office in Tillery, NC.

Under Cloak of Darkness, Pigford II is Signed by Obama

December 10, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Gary R. Grant, President at (252) 826-2800

UNDER THE CLOAK OF DARKNESS, PIGFORD II IS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA

Tillery, NC

Under the cloak of darkness in the South Court Auditorium of the White House, December 8, 2010, the first Black president of the United States signed into law H. R. 4783 which may be the very instrument that will once and for all seal the fate in exterminating Black farmers in America. Against a back drop of the American flag, with several government officials standing behind him and approximately 100 on lookers, including elected officials, Black farmers and Native Americans from several states enjoined in the Cobell Settlement case, the general mood in the room was one of "elation and excitement."

As I personally witnessed this historic occasion, feeling extremely emotional about how overwhelmed my parents, the late Matthew and Florenza Moore Grant (deceased 2001 six months apart), would be to know that their years of civil rights struggles helped lead to the reality of an elected African American president, I thought too, of the horror of the hardships and heart break of my late parents, who filed their discrimination suit against their USDA local office more than 30 years ago, yet have never received their compensation for their settlement through the Administrative Process (1996), and other Black farmers who have died never having had closure to their discrimination claims against the USDA. I also thought about my late brother Richard D. Grant (deceased 2004), a farmer and Viet Nam Veteran who died way to early from the stress of twenty-five plus years of struggle to get justice for discrimination against him.

There can be no doubt about President Obama's commitment to complete this historic legislation, since he was the Senator who introduced a bill when he was the only black Senator in the U. S. Senate. After his statement to the group and signing the bill, President Obama seemed more eager to shake the hands of the legislative members present than those hard working, suffering farmers and advocates for Pigford and seemed to lack a warm connection to the lowly farmer. Perhaps he should take Shirley Sherrod up on her invitation, and I offer the same, come out to rural America and meet some real struggling citizens.

Since I have been privileged to meet with two other presidents on this issue, the noted difference is that President Clinton took the time to pose with each Black farmer as he entered the room. President Bush did not rush from the room after addressing the "black leaders" and allowed time for photographs to be taken, including candid shots.

And certainly, Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), John Lewis (D-GA) Maxine Waters (D-CA), and many others must be given credit for their many years of hard work and standing firmly behind the scenes working to make both Pigford I and now Pigford II possible.

Entering the White House on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 was reminiscent of my first opportunity to meet a sitting president, Bill Clinton, on a cold and frigid December (1997) night that I also term "under the cloak of darkness," when a meeting with Black farmers had to be changed to an integrated meeting with "small family farmers" so that the tenor of the meeting would be "politically correct," even though it was only just Black farmers who had filed a class action against the USDA in August of 1997.

Or the fact that President George Bush met with some three hundred "Black leaders" and held a private meeting with a couple of Republican Black farmers from Georgia who had supported the ouster of a great Black representative, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney (GA), as some source of political commensurate payment for the struggle of Black farmers.

Seemingly forgotten in the process are those Black farmers who are in the Administrative Process or have outstanding court claims, like my parents, not to mention those who filed Civil Rights claims during the "Bush years" who are now threatened with loss of their claims because of the Statutes of Limitations being used against them since the Bush Administration did pretty much as the Reagan Administration by stripping the office of Civil Rights and not following up on filed claims.

Interestingly and conspicuously forgotten on this occasion was Tim Pigford for whom the class action is named, although Elouise Cobell, a Blackfoot nation member, and former USDA Secretary Dan Glickman were present.

So all in all, we close a chapter, but the story is far from being completed as the evil and recalcitrant agents of the government never lost their employment, and are now preparing for rich retirements with many benefits from having stolen the land, the livelihood, the health and for causing all manner of family destruction in the lives of so many Black farmers.

To add insult to injury, to have two current Republican U S Congressional Representatives to refer to the Pigford lawsuit as "fraud" and as a form of "reparations" while they insist on a windfall of unjust tax cuts for the wealthiest two per cent boggles the senses and reminds us once again that there is little honor bestowed on an elected Black President, and that racism threatens and is still sustainable for future generations of black and other children of color, and will be staggeringly costly for all Americans.

Want to help or learn more? Just contact the BFAA office at bfaausnow@aol.com or tillery@aol.com or visit the BFAA web site, www.bfaa-us.org. Please consider making a donation to assist our efforts to keep you updated and speak the truth. PayPal is available at the web site.

House Passes Pigford II Funding

On a largely party-line vote, the House approved funding for the remaining Pigford claimants as described below. There is still questionable wording, threats of an investigation for fraud, and many hoops to jump through, but the bill has passed. BFAA members should be proud! Thank you!

Gary Grant interview on The Takeaway

John Boyd Debates Iowa Representative Steve King

Below hear our ally John Boyd defend the settlement and challenge Representative Steve King regarding King's reference to Pigford Claimants as "johhny" and as drug addicts. King's rhetoric is loaded with racial overtones and he simply doesn't get it. This is a testament to the power of white privilege to make stereotypes of African Americans seem true and natural. To read more about the story follow this link...

Senate Approves Pigford Funding ... With a Hitch 11-17-2010

Today, after no fewer than seven previous votes, the Senate approved funding for the remaining claimants in the Pigford settlement. This measure provides the remaining $1.15 billion necessary to resolve the so-called Pigford II claims. The measure passed with some key additions. First, $3.4 billion of funding was approved to compensate Native Americans in their lawsuit against the Department of the Interior for mishandling their lands held in trust. We applaud this resolution and suggest that it is probably insufficient.

However, we caution against drawing the conclusion that this matter is resolved, as the entire bill needs to go back to the House for approval. Remember that the House approved the Pigford portion of this back around last March. No telling what will happen now. Further, we strongly disapprove of the use of surplus funding from WIC to help offset the total package. How in the word, we wonder, can WIC have a nearly $570 million surplus in these times? If folks who need food assistance have been bureaucratically removed from the roles to create a surplus, we are outraged. Like so many things in Washington, the devil is in the details and the details are anything but clear. We applaud the overall settlement, but like many of our Mamas said, "Don't count your chickens..."

BFAA President Gary Grant cautions that since we have not seen the final wording of the bill, folks should proceed slowly. Even if approved by the House, cases will still need to be individually adjudicated, and even if money is awarded, we have seen exorbitant tax bills follow in April. So, celebrate, but do so carefully.

Shirley Sherrod and USDA Discrimination

BFAA President Gary R. Grant addresses the hypocrisy of attacking Shirley Sherrod after considering only an excerpt from one of her many speeches as edited and posted by a ultra right-wing pundit. Secretary Vilsack should reinstate Sherrod immediately and resolve the Black farmer lawsuit.
Click here to download or on images to read on screen.

BFAA to hold 1st Annual Black FarmAide Action, Music, Arts, and Education Festival

BFAA is proud to announce the first-ever Save the Land: Black Farmers Benefit and Rally. A music, arts, and education festival to be convened on the historic Grant family farm of the New Deal Community of Tillery, NC. Mark your calendars for October 22-23 and check back here regularly for updates. Follow this link or the tab at the top of the page for more info.

Good Citizens Remain Second Class

President Gary Grant and Secretary Spencer Wood write about the current holdups with the Pigford II Settlement

Click Here to download

No Easter Eggs for Black Farmers

Congress has failed to act to appropriate President Obama's recommended allocation of $1.25 billion to resolve the Pigford claims. BFAA President Gary Grant says this is more of the same.

Click here to read online.

Click here to download.

Congress Needs To Appropriate Funding for Pigford Resolution And Protect Claimants

Appropriation of the $1.25 billion to resolve the decades of racism inflicted on black people by the department of agriculture is beyond overdue and likely insufficient. Still, Congress needs to authorize the appropriation expeditiously and move to ensure that these claimants are not further victimized in the process.Read about the rest of our recommendations and share with your friends and congressmen and women.

News for Those Looking to Join Pigford Class

Read this message from BFAA President Gary Grant regarding the known facts about the Pigford II process.

USDA and President Obama Announce Funding for Pigford Late Filers (Pigford II)

Read the press releaseand hear comments from the Secretary of Agriculture regarding the announcement that $1.25 billion should be appropriated to resolve black farmers suits with the USDA.

Dr. Joe Leonard, Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights at the USDA to Visit Tillery

BFAA President Gary Grant urges members and community members to participate in town hall meeting with Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights at the USDA, Dr. Joe Leonard. Click the image to the left to read Gary's letter.

Secretary of Agriculture, Vilsack Calls for New Civil Rights Era at USDA

This is the strongest statement we've heard from any cabinet level leader on ending the legacy of injustice at USDA. Read the first page by clicking to the left. The entire three-page document is available here.

Read about the hopeful promise of the new Secretary of Agriculture

Can Tom Vilsack straighten out the decades of discrimination at USDA? We support his efforts.

Obama Approves $1.25 Billion for Black Farmers

While this AP article is promising, the question still remains as to how many black farmers and land owners have been destroyed by the USDA and its agents. Further, how much REAL WEALTH has been taken from our community by the racist and discriminatory acts of FSA officers across the country. Also, can someone tell me what happened to the rest of the $2.4 billion that was allotted in the settlement? Seems thus far, we have only received right at about $900 million. Let us not forget history for if we do, it will repeat itself. -- GRG

Harry Young Fighting for His Land

82-year old Harry Young from Owensboro, KY is in a battle to save his land. Check out his webpage and consider making a donation to his legal defense fund. Keep fighting Harry!

Executive Director of Federation Impressed with New USDA Administration

Read about Ralph Paige's impressions of Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights, Joe Leonard.

July 24, 2008 - Re-opening of the Pigford Case. So, wondering if you qualify? Read this note below.

Congress finally passed the 2007 Farm Bill in 2008. One component to it is an amendment that will allow more than 60 thousand LATE CLAIMS to the now historic PIGFORD VS USDA CLASS ACTION. However, many people are under the impression that the law suit has been reopened. BFAA makes it very clear that the law suit is not re-opened for new claims. Hopefully people are not being taken in by those who would mislead them.

From what we here at BFAA understand, here is how the new legislation works:

You must have a letter from the Arbitrator saying that you were denied because your claim was late. If you have lost your letter, then the Monitor’s Office (1-877-924-7483) will have a Tracking Number for you. The Monitor’s Office is open Monday - Friday. Even if you cannot find your letter, if you truly have a late claim, your name will be there.

Then you will need to get an attorney. What congress has done only allows for you to see if you qualify as a Pigford Claimant. You will still need to prove that you or your relative was discriminated against.

If you need an attorney, we can suggest that you contact the Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) in North Carolina at 1-800-672-5839 or you contact Chestnut and Sanders at 1-866-492-6200 or 334-975-9264 in Alabama.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the BFAA office at 252-826-2800.

Hopefully everyone is aware that BFAA is a volunteer organization and any contributions are gladly accepted in order that we might be able to keep the organization going. There is no paid staff.

Beware Attorneys Requesting Money to Join Pigford Case

June 3, 2008 - CAUTION - Beware of attorneys requesting money for you to join the re-opening of the Pigford Case. Here is a letter from BFAA President Gary Grant with useful information. Dear Pigford Claimant:

FINALLY A DECISION!!!! Congress has passed a bill that will allow those who filed late for the Pigford Class Action, Black farmers law suit, to seek damages. One drawback to this congressional action is that there is a $100 million cap to pay the more than 60,000 claims. BFAA is working with Attorney Rose Sanders to have the cap lifted, but cannot promise anything. At any rate, if you have a claim in, have a denial letter and a tracking number, you will be allowed to file a lawsuit or participate in a class action lawsuit to pursue your claim. You will need good legal council, and BFAA can with good conscience recommend the firm of CHESTNUT, SANDERS, SANDERS, PETTAWAY & CAMPBELL, L.L.C as one such firm. You can reach this firm at 1-866-492-6200 (toll free).

In the past Pigford case, attorney fees were paid by the government. But the new legislation does not a re-open the old Pigford case. Therefore, all of the terms are not clear, but it looks as if the claimant will have to pay attorney fees.

If you are looking for a lawyer and or legal firm to represent you in this matter, please call Rose Sanders at your earliest convenience. Sanders has assured BFAA that if attorney fees must be paid by the claimant their Firm's will be reasonable.

For the past ten years, this firm has served thousands of farmers honestly and respectfully.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the BFAA office at

252-826-2800 or call the law firm at 1-866-492-6200.

Yours for the Survival of Black Farmers,

Gary R. Grant, President