More Blacks to be put on USDA Farm Panels
/The Agriculture Department plans to put more black
farmers on the committees that have oversight in how federal farm
subsidies are allocated. The increase in black voters on the committees
should happen soon after the November election, Vernon Parker, the
department's top civil rights official, said Tuesday. Parker spoke on a
street outside the department's headquarters while about 75
demonstrators rallied against what they saw as the department's
continuing refusal to rectify a history of discrimination. The
department has settled one class-action discrimination suit and may
face another. Black farmers contend that white-dominated panels of
three to five members in many counties have used their power to force
the foreclosure of many black farms, which then are purchased by
whites. The department announced plans to change the committee
structure in August. [more 
]
]- Black farmers call on Congress to fix USDA settlement [more ]
