Dear Presidential Candidates

January 18, 2008

Dear Presidential Candidates Clinton, Huckabee, Romney, Edwards, McCain, Obama, Thompson, Paul, and Giuliani:

Your work is undoubtedly centered today and tomorrow in South Carolina, and then to other states in days ahead. Some of us are glued to the television sets, listening to the debates and what the political pundits will have to say afterwards. We understand the seriousness of the times in which we live. We are grasping ideas of economics, global terrorism, education of our youth, and the need for change.

However, there are social and political issues you have have yet to embrace. In particular, some of us are very concerned about the cause of the African American farmer in America. We are hopeful that the 2007 Farm Bill will serve to reopen the Pigford Consent Decree. If the numbers are accurate, approximately 70,000 Black farmers were omitted from the possibility of receiving some measure of reparations. It is possible that the number will be perhaps even higher. We remain hopeful that the amendment will stay in the bill that will soon come out of committee.

We are concerned about the tidal wave of land loss among Black farmers since 1920. While small farmers are losing their land to larger farming entities, Black farmers are losing their land at a much higher rate. We believe that efforts from all levels and branches of our government need to come together alongside policy-makers within various agencies such as the USDA and the DOJ to bring about justice.

And, other than Senator Obama, we have heard nothing in the media as to where the rest of you stand on this important issue that is related to farming and to the Black farmers of our land in particular. We hope you will speak loudly in the days ahead. We are concerned about the issues you emphasize in your speeches and debates, but we think your focus can and should include these people who work the land, who are important to the production of food and fiber in our country, the people who have been historically marginalized by government policy, procedures, and actions of employees of departments of the federal government.

Given these important matters, we encourage you to do two things: 1) support the 2007 Farm Bill and the amendment to reopen the Pigford Consent Decree and 2) take up the cause of the African American farmer and help bring about hope and justice to these farmers and their families as you work on the campaign trail over the next few months.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully,


Waymon R. Hinson, Ph.D. Kimberly Cherry, B.A. Rebecca Culver, B.S.


Michelle Finley, B.A. Sarah Hugman, B.A. Scott McBryde, B.A.


Heather MacLeod, B.A. Brian Wingfield, B.S.