Black farmers lawsuit meeting scheduled for Thursday

A meeting to discuss an ongoing dispute between black farmers and the United States Department of Agriculture will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the E.M. Henry Skills Center in the West End community.

Robert Binion, interim president of the Black Farmers Association, is among the Chilton County residents with a stake in a series of lawsuits against USDA for discriminating against black farmers in the granting of loans.

Class-action lawsuits were filed by black farmers in 1997 and 1998, and a consent decree was entered in 1999 to establish deadlines for filing claims.

While more than 22,000 farmers filed claims by the deadline, more than 50,000 eligible claimants missed the deadline. Many were ultimately able to file their claims, and a settlement was reached.

But Binion said many claimants, which have formed an organization called Independent Farmers, still haven’t received payments.

“We’re hoping to get this resolved before the end of the year,” Binion said.

Binion said USDA has not addressed complaints filed by farmers who were not part of the settlement and/or haven’t received payments.

“They may be thinking they’re setting us down, but we’re not going to stop until we can get justice for all farmers,” Binion said.

The plight of black farmers will be recognized at a program marking the 18th anniversary of the Million Man March, on Oct. 19-20 at Tuskegee University.

Anyone interested in attending the event should visit noimoa.com.

Also, another black farmers meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Oct. 15 in Marion.

SportsPlus

Clanton

Flutter 2025 sets new highs and welcomes brighter days

Business

2025 Best of the Best contest nominations underway

Clanton

The Way We Were in Chilton County

Jemison

Stolen Mississippi airplane found in Jemison

Clanton

Selma’s Argo to perform concert at JSCC

Maplesville

Keith’s pressure downs Maplesville in Sweet 16

Clanton

For Hunter: Clanton rallies support for boy, autism and bullying awareness

Chilton County High School

CCHS soccer starts season with boys win, girls growth

Maplesville

AOTW: McCary posts triple-double in area final

Jemison

Jemison honors 1984-85 state runners-up girls team

News

Reeser, Seeley surpass 1,000 points in Thorsby basketball careers

Clanton

The Buzz About: Clanton hosts 30th annual Alabama Beekeepers Symposium

Clanton

Blast From the Past returns to Chilton County on Feb. 21-23

Clanton

Chilton murderers denied parole by board in January

Clanton

Lawrence accounts peach meeting, gives peach crop update

Maplesville

Maplesville claims area title for first time in over 20 years

Clanton

CAEC gives update on Chilton internet expansion

News

Verbena advances both teams to area finals with upset wins

Jemison

Jemison girls defeats Demopolis to advance to playoffs, boys semis coming up

Clanton

Turning the Page: Bollack leading new efforts at Chilton animal shelter

Clanton

Two people killed in Clanton house fire

Maplesville

Maplesville lands in final ASWA top 10 of season

Clanton

Chilton queens gather for Pillow Fight for a Cure

Clanton

Sylvia Singleton’s Mother’s Day Out in Tanzania