Black Farmers Officially Recognized by the Freedmen Trust

The Freedmen Reparations Fund Trust has formally adopted Article XXIV, recognizing Black Farmers as a key part of the historical and status-based legacy of Freedmen in the United States. This acknowledgment reinforces the generational connection between land, agriculture, and the pursuit of self-sufficiency by Freedmen and their descendants.

After Emancipation, Freedmen across the South turned to farming—not only as a means of survival, but as a foundation for family wealth, education, and local power. Despite their critical role in building agricultural economies, these farmers were systematically denied access to credit, land ownership, and federal assistance. Generations of Freedmen farmers were targeted by discrimination—most notably by the USDA—leading to widespread land loss and economic disenfranchisement.

Article XXIV ensures that the legacy of these farmers is preserved and honored within the Trust’s framework. The term “Black Farmer,” as used by the Trust, is not a racial identity—it refers to Freedmen farmers and their direct lineage, rooted in status and historical records.

The Trust will include Black Farmers in:

• Reparations-related research and documentation

• Land justice initiatives

• Cultural education programs tied to agricultural legacy

This recognition helps ensure that the suffering, resilience, and contributions of Freedmen farmers are never erased. It affirms that farming, like land itself, is not just about survival—but sovereignty.

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