Showing posts with label John Boyd. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Boyd. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
National Black Farmers Association Endorses Kamala Harris for President
The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) today announced its endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. With the upcoming election just two weeks away, the NBFA aims to rally support for a candidate they believe will champion the needs and concerns of Black farmers across the nation.
This pivotal endorsement comes after a significant meeting between Vice President Harris and John Boyd, the esteemed founder and president of the NBFA. During this meeting, held in Atlanta on October 19, 2024, the two engaged in critical discussions surrounding the pressing need for debt relief for farmers grappling with the challenges of record-high input costs.
"I've fought for fellow farmers of every race, color, and creed across Virginia, this country, and US Territories," said John Boyd, founder and president. "I can say with certainty that Vice President Harris has the vision to recognize the need to invest in agriculture and land ownership, new loan programs and credits, to make it easier to start and run a farm in the U.S."
Boyd, a fourth-generation Virginia farmer and a staunch advocate for equitable treatment of Black farmers, expressed his unwavering confidence in Vice President Harris's commitment to supporting working families. He highlighted her extensive experience as a California prosecutor, the state's Attorney General, a U.S. Senator, and now as Vice President, as a testament to her dedication to addressing the needs of marginalized communities.
One of the key factors driving the NBFA's endorsement is Vice President Harris's instrumental role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2023. Her decisive tie-breaking vote paved the way for this landmark legislation, which included a crucial provision allocating $2.2 billion in financial assistance to Black and other farmers who faced discrimination under a USDA Farm Lending program before 2021.
Boyd emphasized the significance of this legislation, stating, "I've dedicated my life to fighting for the rights of farmers from all walks of life – across Virginia, the entire country, and even U.S. Territories. I can confidently say that Vice President Harris possesses the vision and understanding to recognize the importance of investing in agriculture, promoting land ownership, and establishing new loan programs and credits that make it easier for aspiring farmers to start and sustain their operations right here in the U.S."
The NBFA firmly believes that Vice President Harris is the best candidate to address the unique challenges faced by Black farmers. Her track record demonstrates a deep understanding of these issues and a commitment to finding effective solutions.
The organization encourages its members and all Americans to consider the importance of this election and the impact it will have on the future of agriculture in the United States.
The NBFA is a non-profit organization founded in the 1990s with the mission of representing the interests of Black farmers across the United States. With over 140,000 members nationwide, the NBFA is a powerful voice advocating for policies that promote equity and opportunity in agriculture.
To learn more about these historic victories and the ongoing work of the NBFA, please contact John Boyd via email JohnWesleyBoydJr@gmail.com.
The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a non-profit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States. As an association, it serves tens of thousands of members nationwide. NBFA's education and advocacy efforts have been focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development for black and other small farmers.
Sunday, January 30, 2022
National Black Farmers Association calls out PepsiCo for failure to keep agreement
John Boyd, president of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), is calling out Pepsico after a year and half of all talk and no contract following a verbal commitment to Black farmers.
NBFA raised concerns over the gargantuan company's failure to contract with members of the NBFA to provide agricultural products that form the foundation of their firm's processes. Only White farmers have been afforded the opportunity to share in PepsiCo's enormous profits. It prefers the superficial responses to public opinion such as changing the brand image of its stereotyped figure Aunt Jemima. PepsiCo immediately reached out to the NBFA on June 19th 2020 in the face of such controversy.
However, as PepsiCo indicated they wanted to do business with NBFA members, the company insisted that our growers share personal information through our national data base. A year and a half later, when NBFA growers met all the required elements for a potato delivery contract, the company's executives apparently had lost interest in keeping its part of the bargain.
In an appalling stunt, PepsiCo executives recently notified the President of the NBFA that it would not be moving forward with any contracts for NBFA members.
"PepsiCo had decided to "move in a new direction" that would not include NBFA black farmer members, we were told.
Our outrage at this kind of bullying discrimination is not just about hurt feelings. Our livelihood and financial stability is at stake when we encounter such blatantly low-level business practices. Some black famers have actually lost their farms amid this unethical and inhumane treatment. The NBFA is seeking legal counsel regarding PepsiCo's verbal commitment for a potato contract.
Boyd is calling on PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Laguarta to meet with NBFA leaders and respond to the hardship and realities his company's latest recent discriminatory act has caused."
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