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A cooperative association of black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives. 

55 YEARS OF MOVEMENT BUILDING

COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT |  LAND RETENTION |   ADVOCACY

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MISSION
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To be a catalyst for the development of self-supporting communities through cooperative economic development, land retention, and advocacy.

Federation Hires 3 Legal Fellows
May 2022
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We are pleased to announce Eric Hilton, Tamara Veal, and Ebony Woodruff have joined the Federation as legal fellows.

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The attorneys will work under the direction of the Federation's Director of Land Retention and Advocacy, Dania Davy.

They will support our membership and other Black farmers & landowners on issues of heirs’ property and land retention efforts.

As licensed attorneys, they will also supervise and guide our Legal Internship Program Law Interns with land tenure and heirs’ property issues across the Southern region.

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Click to read the full press release: https://conta.cc/3LR7Dok

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Family farmers and rural communities suffer disproportionately in times of disaster and economic hardship. Rural communities have less developed infrastructure, greater distances between people & services and fewer resources. These communities suffer more because the impact of disaster hurts twice as much because limited resources can't support the assistance needed and whatever support available takes twice as long to reach those in need.

 

Family farmers in rural communities are usually the ones positioned to assist urban communities and populations severely affected by disasters, such as COVID-19 and other economic hardships. The greatest needs in times of peril are food, water and shelter. Farmers and cooperatives are the first responders to meet these needs.

 

Farmers produce and distribute fresh fruits & vegetables through local cooperatives. Cooperative facilities serve as staging areas and storage for relief items sent from across the country. By working with community-based organizations such as cooperatives, farmers have the capacity to organize, coordinate and monitor these efforts via established partnerships. Additionally rural communities often serve as refuge for evacuees during various disasters.

To prosper as a country and respond effectively and equitably to natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and economic turmoil, we have to industriously utilize and equip farmers as first responders. To achieve tour collective goal please see the following recommendations as solutions: 

  • Better policies that focus on rural infrastructure and disaster pre such as a local farmer, cooperatives, and CBOS/regional systems should be identified, listed, and used as first responders in their respective communities.

  • Local and regional distribution systems should be developed and/or supported via local, state, and/or government funding.

  • Direct disaster payments to farmers and fishermen.

  • Cost-share programs to rebuild farm structures and infrastructure (i.e. barns, boats, docks, value-added facilities, equipment, materials, etc.)

  • Local disaster plans/models should be required for all counties/communities.

  • Greater CBO and minority-serving land grant university support to include disaster training as part of programs.