Black Farmers OK With New Ag. Secretary

Wed, December 17, 2008 - 4:03 PM

The leading voice of the nation’s black farmers applauded today’s nomination of Tom Vilsack as the nation’s next Secretary of Agriculture.

National Black Farmers Association president John W. Boyd, Jr., of Baskerville, Va., who had sought the Cabinet post himself, released a statement supporting Vilsack just hours before President-elect Barack Obama announced the nomination.

Boyd called Vilsack “a great pick” during a challenging time.

“He will need to balance his time fighting to end discrimination within the national [U.S. Department of Agriculture] system and resolve outstanding cases once and for all,” Boyd said.

The National Black Farmers Association has led a class-action suit against the government for allegedly denying black farmers loans and other aid.

“We look forward to working with [Vilsack] on the important issues facing small farmers and fulfilling President-elect Obama's goal of reforming USDA subsidy programs through stricter rules and greater openness,” Boyd said.