Black Participation in the Farmers Home Administration and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, 1964-1990

Abstract

Lack of access to federal farm agencies has handicapped African American farmers. Before the civil rights movement in the 1960s, farm support programs openly discriminated against black farmers. Despite a later policy by the USDA to end discrimination in federal programs, African Americans continued to be separated from assistance programs due to lack of knowledge of available opportunities and loans. Conservative attitudes and the drive to eliminate special minority favors in the 1980s have made discrimination against black farmers more acceptable.