Farmer Equity Act recognizes racial discrimination

[mopinko]

enables state to identify barriers & provide much-needed support to farmers

the money quote for me-

The new law will also ensure farmers of color in our urban centers are not overlooked—another growing demographic of farmers crucial in providing food in places where fresh fruits and vegetables can be difficult to find.

“Let the passing of the Farmer Equity Act be beginning of a much overdue action toward justice for those passed over by the present food system. Fresh produce is not easy to come by in many neighborhoods across California. Urban farming has a real chance to ‘transform the hood for good’,” said Chanowk Yisrael, founder of Yisrael Family Farms in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood.

The Farmer Equity Act also directly responds to California’s climate-smart investments in agriculture. Farmers in underserved areas of the state suffer some of the worst impacts of climate change and local environmental pollution. This legislation will increase access to “climate smart” technical assistance among small and mid-size farms.

“We believe that socioeconomically disadvantaged growers who operate diversified farms are some of the most valuable players in adapting to a changing climate,” said Janaki Jagannath, a California Farmer Justice Collaborative leader. “A goal of this legislation is that climate-smart agricultural policy incorporate the voices of farmers of color in state policy-making and expand their opportunity to access climate adaptation programs, services, and markets.”

http://www.panna.org/press-release/farmer-equity-act