Black people are less than 1.4% of all farmers in America. There are no exact statistics on the amount of Black Hemp Farmers. Due to the misconceptions of hemp, Black farmers are late to the green rush. However, new legislation has been introduced to support Black farmers, which has increased inquiries. That legislation uses jargon that an everyday person doesn't understand. We want to help everyone understand the new Justice for Black Farmers Act to ensure that inquiries turn into actual property.
U.S. Senators Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, and Kirsten Gillibrand, on November 19, 2020, introduced the Justice for Black Farms Act to reform the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture has a history of discrimination, which has led to a drastic decrease in Black Farmers. In 1920, there were well over one million Black Farmers, and now there are less than 50,000. This act will offer a land grant program to provide over thirty-two million acres of land to Black families. This bill addresses systemic discrimination in all facets. It addresses Heirs Property.
Heirs property is passed from one generation to the next in a family without a clear title. Many states allow family members who do not live, operate, or utilize the land to sell without consulting with other members. The law varies from state to state. This Justice bill will increase loan funding by 50 million to help families resolve the distribution of heirs' property. In turn, this helps to keep land in families. Visit Farmers.gov for more information on heirs' property. This bill strives to provide the support needed to maintain the land and grant Black families more opportunities as entrepreneurs and farmers.
This bill could be a gateway to the green rush for minorities.
"I believe farming specifically hemp is a healing experience and lucrative. You can not only create skincare products from hemp; you can create textile and so much more. Once they legalize other Sativa forms, who do you think they will ask to farm and process it? The people currently working hemp. The healing is returning to what is ours." Danielle Buntyon, owner of Jades Elevation.
Jades Elevation has a unique role in spearheading hemp education and increasing the visibility of our black-owned and woman-owned urban farm. We offer quarterly courses, provide behind the scenes content, and sell premium, handcrafted products. As our business grows, we want to increase employment and supporting roles within our company. We are watching this bill and will continue to advocate for it by contacting our legislative bodies and informing our peers.
