Posted on May 19, 2022
Black farmers have lost $326 billion worth of farmland, study says
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For the first time, researchers have assigned a value to the Black-owned farmland lost over the past century.
Throughout the 20th century, Black farmers in the U.S. were forced to give up millions of acres of farmland. A new study puts a number to that loss — $326 billion.
Discriminatory lending practices at the federal level, particularly at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, left many Black farmers unable to maintain their land, forcing them to give it up. That, along with discriminatory heirs’ property laws, contributed to the massive economic loss.
“That's a large number,” said Dania Francis, professor of economics at University of Massachusetts-Boston and lead researcher. “That's the size of the GDP of Hong Kong.”
To arrive at their estimate, researchers used nominal land values at the time and compounded those values up to 2020. According to Francis, the figure is likely a conservative estimate, as it doesn’t take into account any multiplier effects for how the land might have been reinvested.
Throughout the 20th century, Black farmers in the U.S. were forced to give up millions of acres of farmland. A new study puts a number to that loss — $326 billion.
Discriminatory lending practices at the federal level, particularly at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, left many Black farmers unable to maintain their land, forcing them to give it up. That, along with discriminatory heirs’ property laws, contributed to the massive economic loss.
“That's a large number,” said Dania Francis, professor of economics at University of Massachusetts-Boston and lead researcher. “That's the size of the GDP of Hong Kong.”
To arrive at their estimate, researchers used nominal land values at the time and compounded those values up to 2020. According to Francis, the figure is likely a conservative estimate, as it doesn’t take into account any multiplier effects for how the land might have been reinvested.
Black farmers have lost $326 billion worth of farmland, study says
Posted from kcur.org
Farming
Agriculture
American History
USDA
Loans
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 2
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I am about as liberal as one can be, but the subject of reparations worries me. I would agree with reparations to some, based on provable facts that is was ONLY discriminatory lending practices that caused the farmer to lose his land.
My grandparents lost their Oklahoma farm due to the "dust bowel" and the great depression. Should we be paid for that?
This is a very difficult issue, with no clear answers. I guess we should look at it case by case.
My grandparents lost their Oklahoma farm due to the "dust bowel" and the great depression. Should we be paid for that?
This is a very difficult issue, with no clear answers. I guess we should look at it case by case.
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Up to 2020...wow that data is skewed. I know for a fact that my family almost lost their farm several times to grain embargoes, lowest prices etc when minority farmers were able to get subsidies from the government to keep going. Maybe up till the mid 1900's but after that it was definitely different.
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MSG Stan Hutchison
Al farmers are eligible to file for subsidies from the government.
By the way, here is a site that breaks down those subsidies up to 2020.
https://farm.ewg.org/index.php
By the way, here is a site that breaks down those subsidies up to 2020.
https://farm.ewg.org/index.php
EWG's Farm Subsidy Database put the issue on the map and is driving reform. Just ten percent of America's largest and richest farms collect almost three-fourths of federal farm subsidies; cash payments that often harm the environment.
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
MSG Stan Hutchison - Not all are or have been eligible...because I HAVE LIVED IT in the 70's and 80's! My father in law could not get subsidies but our farmer
friend down the road who is African American got a subsidy, his brother who was in business with him as a co owner got a subsidy and they signed his wife up for a subsidy...not by farm/business but by individual. It was directed at minority farmers, and the USDA was blatant about it. They got all new equipment and farm vehicles cause the could when everyone else around them struggled to keep things running that year with prices and embargoes. I have physically seen this in action. I will give you this, the richest farmers may get subsidies now...not arguing that point...but the small family farmer 5000 acres or less...back then didn't get squat.
friend down the road who is African American got a subsidy, his brother who was in business with him as a co owner got a subsidy and they signed his wife up for a subsidy...not by farm/business but by individual. It was directed at minority farmers, and the USDA was blatant about it. They got all new equipment and farm vehicles cause the could when everyone else around them struggled to keep things running that year with prices and embargoes. I have physically seen this in action. I will give you this, the richest farmers may get subsidies now...not arguing that point...but the small family farmer 5000 acres or less...back then didn't get squat.
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