Costa Focuses on Needs of Disadvantaged, Minority Farmers

FRESNO – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16), Chairman of Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, participated in a hearing with United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to discuss the detrimental impact of longstanding, systemic discrimination against Black, Southeast Asian, Hispanic and other socially disadvantaged farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.

"Racism of any kind has no place in our society," said Costa. "For years, black and other minority farmers have been hesitant to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for fear of discrimination. These farmers' operations are typically smaller, but they are equally critical to feeding Americans. I will keep fighting for resources to support small farmers."

Rep. Costa called on Sec. Vilsack to transform the USDA to better reflect the diversity of the United States. That means ensuring local USDA offices have staff who can represent and support African American, Black, Hispanic, Indian, and other farmers with culturally appropriate resources.

Rep. Costa shared personal accounts from California farmers he has worked with. Will Scott, Jr., president of the African-American Farmers of California, submitted testimony that detailed a history of discrimination toward California's black farmers, and the Asian Business Institute & Resource Center in Fresno, by Executive Director Blong Xiong, which assists hundreds of Southeast Asian farmers in the Central Valley, submitted testimony on its experiences.

Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs) face many obstacles, including unequal access to loans and markets. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it's estimated that black farmers received 0.1 percent of the nearly $26 billion in aid that has gone to farmers. The 1,000 Southeast Asian farmers in the Central Valley also report issues with receiving relief funding. Mitigating these problems is one of Rep. Costa's top priorities. He submitted a report prepared by his staff, who spent months talking to farmers, community-based organizations, and government agencies about to their concerns and policy solutions. The findings focus on the following areas:

• Building awareness of government programs: Finding new ways to increase awareness of USDA and other federal programs and services available to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers;
• Including Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers in policy discussions and implementation: Creating a system for these farmers to participate in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, policies, and programs;
• Empowering Community Organizations: Providing opportunities for non-governmental outreach organizations to play a more active role in providing additional resources for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.