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Boyd considered for Obama cabinet
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:19 PM EST
By Lisa Andrews, Staff Writer
MECKLENBURG COUNTY — President-elect Barrack Obama is considering one of Southside Virginia’s most politically active farmers for the position of United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, officials said.
Dr. John W. Boyd, Jr., of Baskerville, notified The Enterprise Sunday that he is among those being evaluated by Obama’s team for the agricultural secretary position on Obama’s first administrative cabinet. Boyd resides on the farm he owns in Baskerville.
Boyd notes the process to select the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary is not complete and that he is considered to be the “under dog.” Should Obama select Boyd it would help complete a campaign pledge he made to have a more diverse group of leaders in senior administrative positions, according to Boyd.
“Just to be involved in the process is an honor,” Boyd said. He said that while he campaigned for Obama and shared his concerns about the USDA’s programs, Boyd assured Obama that he could serve in whatever capacity the Obama administration wanted him to, in order to make the agriculture department better.
“I will work to implement the policies of the president to the best of my abilities whether that is from inside or outside the administration in another capacity,” he said.
Boyd said should he be appointed to the position he will continue to work to find creative ways to help small and black farmers in Mecklenburg County as well as small and black farmers across the nation.
“I have learned a lot over the last 15 years,” Boyd said. “I have supported the issues (of small and black farmers) and will continue to look at the subsidy issues.” He said he feels Obama will also want to look at subsidy issues. He noted that he and Obama are in support of bio-fuels.
“The USDA needs a breath of fresh air,” Boyd said. “I think there can be improvement with farm lending, outreach and technical assistance to small and mid-scale producers. Small producers really haven’t been a part of the American fabric at the USDA under the Bush administration.”
A report released last month by the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in part that the USDA’s still has, “difficulties in resolving discrimination complaints persist” and “significant deficiencies remain” in the department performance on civil rights.
Boyd, president and founder of the National Black Farmer’s Association (NBFA), was a vocal supporter of Obama during his presidential campaign. Obama had worked with Boyd before his vie to head to nation.
Obama was one of the supporters of a plan that passed legislation and later vetoed by President Bush. Boyd said the bill would have benefited small and black farmers across the country.
A lawsuit was filed earlier this year by NBFA and over 800 farmers who claimed they were denied damages they should have received following a 1999 class-action settlement in which black farmers were found to have been denied loans and other aid from local USDA offices.
The NBFA is a community-based organization with tens of thousands of members throughout the United States said Boyd. As the respected national voice of the black farmers, NBFA says they have been focused on three major policy matters in Washington, DC: passing the black farmers bill in the congress; increasing farm subsidies for black farmers; and major reforms at the USDA.
The NBFA has been involved in advocacy, land retention, and rural development for black and other small farmers throughout the country since 1995. The NBFA says they are working diligently to improve the quality of life in rural communities through improved agricultural outreach, access to credit for small farmers, family farm business development, food distribution, and rural economic development. For more information please contact Boyd by visiting either of these websites www.blackfarmers.org and www.johnwboydjr.com. |
Chris wrote on Nov 20, 2008 8:53 AM: