In a move towards reparative justice, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced the distribution of $2.2 billion to farmers who faced discrimination from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For many Black food producers, this payout offers the opportunity to strengthen their farms and build resilience for the future.

“This money will be a lifeline to farmers and ranchers across the country who in the past have been unfairly denied access to USDA lending and safety net programs,” said Senator Cory Booker, a key advocate for the newly available funds.

The funds come from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which aims to provide financial assistance to 43,000 farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. Black farmers will receive a significant portion of the funds—$1.5 billion—according to Tracy Lloyd McCurty, Executive Director of the Black Belt Justice Center, who recently met with Booker’s staff.

John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association, hailed the payout as “historic.” The announcement follows a long history of systemic exclusion faced by Black farmers in USDA programs. An NPR analysis highlighted how Black farmers were consistently left behind by the USDA’s loan system. This was brought to light in the 1999 Pigford v. Glickman class action lawsuit, where Black farmers sued the USDA for discrimination that led to the loss of their land and farms. Although the case was settled, many eligible farmers never received their payouts due to overly complex filing procedures.

For many, the recent announcement marks a bittersweet victory. “I am…saddened that thousands of our legacy farmers transitioned to ancestorhood without receiving any compensation from the USDA for decades of anti-Black racism,” said McCurty. At the same time, she expressed joy that many farmers she works with have received the maximum $500,000 payout.

McCurty has already seen the funds being put to use. After visiting Black farmers in Okolona, Mississippi, she witnessed farmers using the money to expand their operations by purchasing additional land and cattle. Some are exploring new ventures, including hemp production, agrotourism, and organic agriculture.

While the payout represents a major step forward, there is still more work to be done. McCurty noted that $250 million remains available from the $3.1 billion allocated in the IRA for debt cancellation for economically distressed farmers. She hopes this will be used to eliminate debt for legacy Black farmers entirely, ensuring that their land and livelihoods are protected.

“Clearly, we have more work to do to restore our Black agricultural land base,” McCurty said. “But with this victory in hand, we are walking in the right direction toward reparative justice.”

This payout represents a crucial step in addressing historical wrongs, and it offers Black farmers new opportunities to expand their farms, innovate, and build a stronger agricultural future for generations to come.