The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ land Assistance Fund

Summary

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, established in 1967, is a collective of Black farmers and landowners that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement. They focus on cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy to counteract systemic racism faced by Black farmers, particularly from the USDA. The organization has been instrumental in legal battles, leading to significant lawsuits and policy changes, including the Black Farmers' Caravan to Washington and the uniform partition of heirs' property act. The script highlights the importance of preserving Black-owned land and fostering a cooperative approach for future generations.

Takeaways

• 🚜 Farmers are often the first responders in disasters, using their resources and land to help, and there is a push for them to be formally recognized as such.
• 🤝 The Federation of Southern Cooperatives, founded in 1967, is a cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives that emerged from the Civil Rights Movement.
• 🌾 The Federation focuses on cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy, promoting shared benefits and self-sufficiency among its members.
• ⚖️ Black farmers have historically faced systemic racism, particularly from the USDA, and community organizations like the Federation work to hold these institutions accountable.
• 🚛 The Black Farmers Caravan to Washington in 1992 highlighted discrimination in agriculture and led to the landmark class-action lawsuit Pigford vs. Glickman, which awarded over a billion dollars to Black farmers.
• ✊ The Black community often leads social justice movements, and this leadership extends to addressing agricultural discrimination, inspiring other marginalized groups to take similar actions.
• 🌱 Despite progress, Black farmers continue to face challenges similar to those from the Civil Rights era, but ongoing movements like Black Lives Matter have renewed support for their struggles.
• 🏛️ The Federation plays a key role in advocating for state and federal policies to protect Black-owned land, such as the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, which helps reduce land loss.
• 📉 The decline in Black-owned farmland is significant; from 218,000 Black farmers owning 15 million acres in 1910 to only 18,000 farmers with just over 2 million acres by 1992.
• 🌍 The Federation's mission is to promote cooperative ownership, advocacy, and infrastructure as the cornerstones of equity, ensuring that Black landowners can protect and pass on their land.

Q & A

What is the significance of farmers in disaster response?

Farmers have historically been the first to respond to disasters, both natural and man-made, with their lives, livelihoods, land, and agricultural products.

Why was the Federation of Southern Cooperatives founded?

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives was founded to build communities that could own their own land and resources, ensuring a sustainable path after gaining social and political rights during the civil rights movement.

What are the three main focuses of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives?

The Federation focuses on cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

How does a co-op differ from a single farmer operating alone?

A co-op is a group of farmers working together to share resources and benefits, creating a collective strength and support system rather than a single farmer operating independently.

What challenges have black farmers faced in the United States?

Black farmers have faced systemic racism, particularly from the United States Department of Agriculture, which has historically disadvantaged them.

What was the Black Farmer's Caravan to Washington about?

The Black Farmer's Caravan to Washington was a protest to address discrimination at the USDA, involving demonstrations and events in state capitals leading to Washington DC.

What was the outcome of the lawsuit Pickford versus Glickman?

The lawsuit Pickford versus Glickman was the largest class action lawsuit filed against the U.S. government, resulting in over a billion dollars being awarded to the black community.

How has the Black Lives Matter movement impacted the perception of black farmers?

The Black Lives Matter movement has inspired and led to an outpouring of support for black farmers and organizations, raising awareness and advocating for change.

What role do civil rights heroes like John Lewis and CT Vivian play in the movement?

Civil rights heroes like John Lewis and CT Vivian have laid the blueprint for making demands and achieving goals, inspiring the movement and its continued fight for justice.

What is the goal of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in terms of land ownership?

The Federation aims to promote advocacy for changes to save black-owned land, protect it, and ensure it can be passed along to future generations, with a focus on cooperative ownership and infrastructure.

How has the number of black farmers and their land ownership changed over the past century?

In 1910, there were 218,000 black farmers owning about 15 million acres of land, but by the 1992 census, this had drastically reduced to only 18,000 black farmers on a little over 2 million acres of land.