>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >African-American Farmers Host National Conference in Detroit > >Detroit, MI, May 9, (PANW)--Hundreds of African-American farmers gathered >in the city of Detroit over the last three days to publicize their >worsening plight in the United States. The national gathering culminated >on saturday with a day long conference at the Michigan State Fair Grounds, >where many farmers and their supporters spoke of the massive land loss and >financial bankruptcies that are occuring on an annual basis throughout the >country. > >This conference, which was entitled, "From the Ground Up!: Saving The >Black Farmer", was convened by U.S. Congresspersons John Conyers and >Carolyn C. Kilpatrick of Michigan. The list of speakers and guests >included National Black Farmers Association president, John Boyd, Jr., >Joseph Lowery (former leader of the Southern Christian Leadership >Conference), Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi as well as former >Agricultural Secretary, Mike Espy. The purpose of the event was to raise >public awareness of the issues concerning African-American farmers; to >increase African-American involvement in the U.S. agribusiness industry >through infrastructural development; and to develop a plan of action to >prevent the further demise of African-American farmers in the United >States. > >In a statement delivered by Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, he >stated that "some might wonder why we are holding a Black Farmers >Conference in Detroit. The answer is simple: Agriculture is a $40 Billion >industry in the state; yet across Michigan there are only 125 >African-Americans engaged full-time or part-time in farming. >African-American farmers are not getting their fair share here or anywhere >in the country". > >An action plan that was circulated at the event called for the following >measures: >-the establishment of an Economic Rights Agenda; >-the forging of links between urban and rural communities so that >agriculture is viewed as a viable economic alternative for >African-Americans; >-focusing on ways to increase African-American involvement in the U.S. >agribusiness industry through processing plants, packing sheds, >transportation, distribution and marketing; >-to attract African-American youth to careers in agriculture; >-and to develop a Plan of Action to help prevent the threatened demise of >Black Farmers in America. > >The conference participants spoke to community organizations in Detroit, >including a rally held by the New Marcus Garvey Movement on thursday >evening. This organization has been involved in distributing products that >are grown by African farmers in the south. In addition, members of the >Black Farmers Association of America held a demonstration in downtown >Detroit on Friday outside of the Cobo Conference Center where >Vice-President Al Gore was speaking before the City Economic Club. > >This event held at the State Fairgrounds auditorium on saturday was >attended by African-American farmers from as far away as Mississippi and >North Carolina. Participants pledged to continue their organizing efforts >and to enhance cooperation between rural and urban communities.* > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >============================================================================ >Pan-African News Wire articles may be freely distributed for non-profit >educational and research purposes. We do request that the original source >of the articles be cited in any redistribution. Any circulation for >profit is prohibited without the expressed consent of the Pan-Afrian News >Wire. >================================================= > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >Distributed By: >THE PAN-AFRICAN RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER > 211 SCB BOX 47, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY > DETROIT, MI 48202-- E MAIL: ac6123@wayne.edu >----------------------------------------------------------------------
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