Black Farmers Press USDA Discrimination Concerns
Agricultural operators working with USDA farm programs should track ongoing discrimination claims and federal program rules.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Agriculture
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John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, held a conference in Columbia highlighting issues facing farmers. The session centered on his group's advocacy against racial discrimination against Black farmers by the USDA, a cause that matters to Columbia-area agricultural operators.
Why it matters
Boyd's advocacy traces back to the 1999 Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit, in which the USDA settled by agreeing to pay over $1 billion to thousands of Black farmers. Continued organizing around discrimination claims signals that how federal farm programs are administered remains a live concern for small and minority-owned agricultural operations.
The USDA agreed to pay over $1 billion to thousands of Black farmers in the Pigford settlement. The extraction does not report current payout totals or additional figures from the Columbia conference.
The players
John Boyd Jr.
Founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, a leading advocate in litigation and policy efforts over USDA treatment of Black farmers.
National Black Farmers Association
Advocacy organization representing Black farmers that pursues claims against racial discrimination by the USDA.
United States Department of Agriculture
Federal agency that administers farm lending and credit programs and rulemaking affecting U.S. agricultural operators.
The details
The National Black Farmers Association, which Boyd founded, advocates against what it describes as racial discrimination by the USDA against Black farmers. Boyd was instrumental in the Pigford v. Glickman case, which produced the settlement that remains the central reference point for discrimination claims in federal farm lending. Boyd met with farmers in Columbia and discussed his advocacy publicly on the local broadcast program Good Day Columbia.
Timeline
1999: Pigford v. Glickman lawsuit, in which Boyd was involved, is filed and later settled by the USDA.
November 2, 2026: Boyd meets with farmers in Columbia and appears on Good Day Columbia.
Market Landscape
The Pigford v. Glickman settlement, which required the USDA to pay over $1 billion to thousands of Black farmers, remains the reference point for discrimination claims against the agency. Advocacy groups such as the National Black Farmers Association continue to press these issues in the years since that resolution.
Agricultural operators in the Columbia area should note that federal farm program administration and discrimination claims remain active concerns. Business owners in farming should monitor USDA program rules and consult qualified counsel on any claims or eligibility questions affecting their operations.
The takeaway
Discrimination claims against federal agricultural agencies can carry long tails, as the Pigford settlement shows decades after resolution. Operators who rely on USDA programs should keep records of loan and program applications and review eligibility rules with a qualified accountant or attorney.
Further reading
For broader context on farm policy and agricultural operations, explore more in our Agriculture coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WACH.
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