It has come to my attention that there is a growing concern among the black farming community over the increased consolidation of the independent seed and agricultural companies. In fact, one such example of this – the proposed merger between Monsanto and Delta & Pine Land – is currently under review by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). I strongly urge you to ask the DOJ to consider this action very carefully and its consequences not only for black farmers but for the entire industry as well.

It is our collective belief that the USDA Office of Civil Rights (CR) could and should be the federal “flagship” program in the metropolitan area for civil rights, and the model for other federal agencies to emulate. This is especially true in light of the fact that the USDA Graduate School is highly recognized and respected for its excellence in education. However, due to a long history of mismanagement, this is not the case.

Please accept this letter as our official invitation to the 7th Annual State Small Farmer’s Conference on November 17 and 18, 2006 on the campus of the beautiful Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. The chosen theme for this year’s conference is “Partnership--the Key for Success”.

Dogged by allegations of racial insensitivity, Sen. George Allen on Thursday introduced a bill to help black farmers. Allen, R-Va., has spent weeks rebutting accusations that he used racist language and liked Confederate symbols.

The National Black Farmers Association Conference 2006 is an interactive two-day program giving you practical knowledge and techniques to enhance your skills and networking, and financial resource capabilities for small, limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers and landowners.

On the same day (Sept. 30) that The Roanoke Times unquestioningly regurgitated Sen. George Allen's PR, falsely suggesting that Allen had done something for African-American farmers, The Times also ran a letter to the editor by Dan Averill, saying we should look at Allen's record. Indeed.

A group of black farmers rallied Wednesday outside the Agriculture Department to press their claim that thousands of people were left out of the settlement of a discrimination lawsuit. Seven years ago, the department agreed to pay farmers who could show they were discriminated against. The settlement provided for payments of $50,000 in most cases but allowed for unlimited payments in extreme cases.

A group of black farmers rallied Wednesday outside the Agriculture Department to press their claim that thousands of people were left out of the settlement of a discrimination lawsuit.

Hundreds of black farmers are expected in Washington, D.C., tomorrow morning to protest years of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Black farmers filed a lawsuit in 1997 and two years later a court ordered the government to pay black farmers for its discriminatory practices, but many farmers say they were left out of that process and now they're asking Congress for help.

In Washington, D.C. to protest unfair treatment by the United States Department of Agriculture while calling on the Republican Congress to support legislation to reopen the claims of black farmers.

Thousands of black farmers who say they have been left out of a landmark civil rights case are turning to Congress as their last hope to get compensation for years of being denied loans by the government.

The public meeting will help USDA determine how tobacco transition assessments will be collected, the timing of the collection, and the assessment shares, among other issues.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution will hold an oversight hearing on the “‘Notice’ Provision in the Pigford v. Glickman Consent Decree.” I would like to invite you to testify at this hearing regarding your thoughts on the notice provision in the Pigford v. Glickman consent decree.

The Agriculture Department plans to put more black farmers on the committees that have oversight in how federal farm subsidies are allocated. The increase in black voters on the committees should happen soon after the November election, Vernon Parker, the department's top civil rights official, said Tuesday.

A congressional panel Tuesday heard testimony that the historic 1999 settlement of black farmers' claims of discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is so seriously flawed that it demands to be reopened and resolved.

Tens of thousands of black farmers have yet to see any of the compensation promised them by the U.S. Department of Agriculture five years ago in one of the federal government's largest-ever racial bias settlements, according to a report released this week by a public interest watchdog group.

In August members of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) parked a tractor in front of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) building and, with a mule in tow, demonstrated along the sidewalk. More than three years ago, the farmers consolidated their claims of racial discrimination in farm lending into a class-action suit under which eligible plaintiffs would receive a $50,000 settlement.