John W. Boyd, Jr. is a fourth-generation farmer, civil rights activist, and the National Black Farmers Association president and founder.

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President Biden must issue a farm foreclosure moratorium! Sign the petition to save family farms from foreclosures! By Executive Order - Biden can stop any US farm from being foreclosed on like he did the mortgage moratorium. 

After fighting for debt relief for over three decades, John W. Boyd, Jr. was elated when the Emergency Relief for Farmers of Color was passed and signed into law by President Joe Biden last year in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Section 1005 was created specifically to offer loan forgiveness to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers (SDFRs), defined as those “belonging to groups that have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice.” Shortly after this was passed, white farmers filed a lawsuit claiming 'reverse discrimination' and tied up the $4 billion dollars promised to farmers of color (SDFR's). This lawsuit immediately stopped debt relief from being distributed. A year after the Act was passed, the debt relief is still inaccessible, and Black farmers and farmers of color are getting served foreclosure notices!

What once read as "Debt Relief for Farmers of Color" now reads as "Assistance for Certain Farm Borrowers." The $4 billion dollars in aid has now been reduced to $2 billion. The bill is filled with vague language as to what is considered "discrimination." 

With these changes and others, what was once specifically for the 4% of socially disadvantaged farmers, is now accessible to the 95% of America's white farmers. For generations, white farmers have received their government relief with little to no problem, while Black farmers faced discrimination and neglect on local, state, and national levels and have been denied assistance from the USDA. One hundred years ago, 14% of American farmers were Black; today, that number is 1.4%. During Jim Crow, discriminatory and predatory practices from the USDA robbed Black farmers and farmers of color of their farms. The loss of this land ownership continues to be seen and felt in our communities today. The recent changes to Section 1005 are a continuation of Jim Crow practices in the modern era. Yes, Black farmers, Native American farmers and other farmers of color are still able to apply for this debt relief, but how can we trust the USDA will honor its commitment to do the right thing if it continues to be run by the same officials? Our next plan of action to save ALL FARMS is this moratorium.  

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For more information about John W. Boyd, Jr. visit: 

John W. Boyd, Jr.

National Black Farmers Association

Association of American Indian Farmers 

National Women's Farming Association