Thursday, February 18, 2021

House Ag Democrats advance ag stimulus package as GOP attacks minority farmer debt relief

 
House Ag Democrats advance ag stimulus package as GOP attacks minority farmer debt relief

02/10/21 9:39 PM By Philip Brasher

https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/15322-democrats-advance-ag-stimulus-package-as-gop-attack-minority-farmer-debt-relief

Democrats forced a $16.1 billion agriculture stimulus plan through the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday, brushing aside Republican assertions that a provision providing debt relief for minority farmers was far too broad and could face legal challenges.

The package, which was approved on a party-line 25-23 vote during a seven-hour virtual meeting with members scattered across the country, will be folded into a broader $1.9 trillion stimulus bill backed by President Joe Biden.


Democrats defeated almost every GOP attempt to alter the measure, including two amendments that would have scaled back provisions that will pay off USDA farm loans held by minority producers.

Committee Chairman David Scott, a Georgia Democrat who is the committee’s first Black Democrat, vigorously defended the debt relief plan. “There has been no one who has been discriminated in the whole agriculture industry like African Americans, who deserve some compassion and understanding,” he said.

“We African Americans were the pioneers in agriculture … We had to do it for no compensation as slaves in this country, and ever since then we’ve been trying to bring justice to that.”

The committee's stimulus provisions also include $4 billion in aid for the food supply chain as well as an extension through the summer of a temporary 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

Republicans repeatedly complained that they were not allowed to help write the package and said it omitted assistance for key rural needs such as broadband expansion, but they directed some of their sharpest criticism at the debt relief plan.

Under that provision, which is the result of discussions that started with the Biden transition team, a farmer who qualifies as socially disadvantaged, under a definition in the 1990 farm bill, could get a payment worth 120% of the amount they owe on a USDA direct or guaranteed loan. The additional 20% is intended to cover the taxes the farmers would owe on the debt-relief payment.

Democratic members of the committee initially struggled to explain whether white women would qualify for the payments, but a committee staffer said it would be limited to Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Asian Americans.

But Scott argued that the ultimate goal of the debt relief was to increase the number of Black farmers, who now represent just 1% of all producers, he said.

Rep. Austin Scott, a Georgia Republican who is white and of no relation to the chairman, noted USDA had paid out $2.2 billion in settlements for discrimination against Black farmers starting in 1999.

“The idea that the federal government can write a check for 120% of someone’s outstanding loan balance when we’ve already settled the cases from 1999 and 2010, I think It’s wrong, and I think it’s unconstitutional,” said Scott. He noted eligible farmers wouldn’t have to prove they had been discriminated against.

Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, argued it would be unprecedented for the federal government to provide debt relief to a group of people for more than what they owed. It “would be more clear, fair and responsible to cap this forgiveness at 100%, just as all our other loans are at this point,” he said.

But committee Democrats defeated his amendment to cap the payments at 100% of indebtedness as well as a proposal by Vicky Hartzler, R-Mo., to limit the debt relief to loans that minority farmers had taken out as a result of the pandemic. Hartzler said her amendment would have kept the bill focused on coronavirus relief.

 
Republicans highlighted other complaints about the bill by forcing a series of votes aimed at directing funds to fix what they saw as shortcomings.

One of the amendments was adopted when Iowa Democrat Cindy Axne crossed party lines to support a proposal by Feenstra to dedicate some of the bill’s funding to farmers in Iowa that suffered crop damage from last summer’s derecho.

Amendments that Democrats rejected included a proposal by the committee’s ranking Republican, Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, that would have redirected some of the bill’s money to rural broadband, distance learning, rural hospitals and other needs.

Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., inadvertently highlighted deficiencies in rural broadband while trying to defend Thompson’s amendment. “The digital divide is something that is very, very real in my district,” she said. Moments later she lost her connection to the hearing.

Another defeated amendment, proposed by Rodney Davis, R-Ill., would have earmarked funding for biofuel producers. “We’re debating relief and our farmers, and biofuel producers they need relief,” Davis said.

But Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., suggested the amendment was proposed in bad faith to divide Democrats. She noted that the omnibus spending bill enacted in December specifically authorized coronavirus relief for biofuel plants.

Also defeated was a proposal by Feenstra to give small and medium-size processors priority in commodity purchases that would be funded by the aid package.

For more news, go to www.Agri-Pulse.com.



 
 
National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association 
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20005
Office: (202) 628-8833
Fax No.: (202) 393-1816
Email: latinofarmers@live.com 
Twitter: @NLFRTA
Website: www.NLFRTA.org 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Call for Applications. African Diaspora Network. U.S. African Development Foundation February 2021

 

The African Diaspora Network is committed to see that the voices of Africans are included in the Boardrooms of Corporations, NGOs, Educational, and Government Institutions. We are working hard to make this possible and we hope you participate for only when we are at the TABLE can we make a difference.  


Click here to apply

Fellowship Programme. African Diaspora Network. February 2021.

 

The African Diaspora Network is committed to see that the voices of Africans are included in the Boardrooms of Corporations, NGOs, Educational, and Government Institutions. We are working hard to make this possible and we hope you participate for only when we are at the TABLE can we make a difference.  


Our Fellowship Programme is an opportunity for social change activists to reflect on their practice, share and exchange ideas, deepen skills and learn about fresh approaches and strategies for change.  

We seek out activists who can demonstrate that participation in the fellowship programme will enhance their leadership and the impact of their work for social change. 

Find out more here

 

Monday, February 15, 2021

Ebola. Ebola has returned to Guinea. February 2021

 

Feb 15, 2021

GHN News

 

Volunteers medical team prepare to buy the body of an Ebola victim. Conakry, Guinea. September, 2014.
Image: Mamadou Cellou Diallo/Anadolu Agency/Getty

 

Ebola is Back in Guinea and DRC

 
A new Ebola outbreak has been declared in Guinea, marking the first cases reported there since West Africa’s devastating outbreak ended in 2016, WHO reports.
 
7 people fell ill after attending the burial of a nurse on February 1, and at least 3 people have died, The New York Times reports.
 
The outbreak is  “a huge concern,” but health authorities are taking swift action to trace the virus and deploying key lessons learned—and new interventions—from the previous outbreak, said WHO Africa chief Matshidiso Moeti.
 
Game Changer: There are now 2 Ebola vaccines—which were key to ending an outbreak in the  DRC last summer.
 
Now, the DRC has also reported 4 new Ebola cases in a week in Butembo, the epicenter of the previous outbreak, 7sur7.cd reports. A cycle of violence and mass movement of people in the region continues to be a concerning factor that could hamper response efforts.
 
Ebola vaccines—which are not for routine use—are being deployed to both Guinea and the DRC.


Related: 

Ebola in Guinea: A note on geography – H5N1

Health: Without vaccine, Guinea faces Ebola again – guineenews.org

Sunday, February 14, 2021

FUNDING ALERT. February 2021

 
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funding alert
 
Funding Alert: February 12, 2021 Issue
 
We know how important it is to have access to capital to support mission critical operations.
The Funding Alert, a free, bi-weekly resource produced by Serve DC, highlights grant opportunities and resources for community-based, faith-based, 501 (c) (3) nonprofits, and District government agencies. In response to the District’s current public health emergency, the Funding Alert also includes coronavirus (COVID-19) related funding opportunities!
Follow Serve DC on social media and sign up to ensure you receive your issue of the bi-weekly funding alert.
 
For all current District Government agency grant opportunities,
visit the District Grants Clearinghouse by clicking here
_____________________________________
 
New funding opportunities and resources:
 
COVID-19 Grant Funds
The AARP® Purpose Prize
  • Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Available Funds: $50,000
 
The Poetry Foundation Emergency Grants
  • Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Available Funds: range from $5,000–$20,000
 
Brave of Heart Fund
  • Deadline: 5/15/2021
  • Available Funds: Initial grant of $15,000
 
The Doctors Company Foundation
  • Letter of Intent Deadline: 3/22/2021
  • Available Funds: awards have varied from $1,000 to $307,000
 
Whole Kids Foundation: Garden Grant Program
  • Deadline: 3/31/2021
  • Available Funds: range from $3,000
 
National Geographic: COVID-19 Remote Learning Emergency Fund for Educators
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Awards between $1,000 to $8,000
 
FIJ Coronavirus Rolling Grant
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Up to $10,000
 
Supporting Impactful Charities During The COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: $5,000
 
ECMC Foundation Grant Funding
  • Letter of Inquiry Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: varies
 
Funding Opportunities
RFA Release - FY 2021 DC Local Equity, Access and Preservation Funds (DC LEAF)
  • Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Available Funds: approximately $3.185
 
RFA Release - FY 2021 Ending the HIV Epidemic
  • Deadline: 3/19/2021
  • Available Funds: $400,000
 
RFA Release - 2021 Apprenticeship Information Training Intermediary Initiative
  • Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Available Funds: $145,000 available for award
 
Timberland: Virtual Volunteer Employees
  • Deadline: varies
 
Fire Prevention and Safety Grant
  • Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Available Funds: Up to $1.5M per award
 
The Religion and Theology Program
  • Letter of Inquiry Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
Advancing Public Knowledge on Race, Justice, and Religion in America
  • Letter of Inquiry Deadline: 2/15/2021
  • Available Funds: Amounts of $250,000 to $750,000
 
Visionary Freedom Fund
  • Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Available Funds: Range from $25,000 - $100,000
 
National Dance Project Production Grant
  • Deadline: 3/1/2021
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
Access to Historical Records: Major Initiatives
  • Deadline: 2/25/2021
  • Available Funds: between $100,000 and $350,000
 
Community Mediation Mini-Grant Program
  • Solicitation of Interest Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Available Funds: Grants of $12,000 per year
 
Movement Infrastructure Fund
  • Deadline: 4/23/2021
  • Available Funds: Range from $20,000 – $200,000
 
FY 2021 Building Communities of Recovery
  • Deadline: 2/15/2021
  • Available Funds: Up to $200,000 per year
 
Janisha R. Gabriel Movement Protection Emergency Fund
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
Black Liberation Pooled Fund
  • Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
NAWCA 2022-1 US Standard Grants
  • Deadline: 2/26/2021
  • Available Funds: Up to $1M per award
 
Andrew Family Foundation 2021 Grant Application
  • Letter of Inquiry Deadline: 3/15/2021
  • Available Funds: Up to $600,000
 
Impact 100 DC Inaugural Community Grant Program
  • Letter of Intent Deadline: 3/12/2021
  • Available Funds: $70,000 - $100,000 (total grant size depends on conclusion of annual membership drive)
 
NIAAA Resource-Related Research Projects (R24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
  • Deadline: 9/25/2023
  • Available Funds: $500,000
 
Promoting the Importance of Infant and Childhood Vaccination Among Pregnant Women by Prenatal Care Providers
  • Deadline: 2/21/2021
  • Available Funds: $500,000
 
Grants Promote Successful Reentry for Incarcerated People
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: range from $5,000 to $25,000
 
The Public Welfare Foundation Grants
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: varies
 
Charitable Giving Program
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: varies
 
The Nathan Cummings Foundation: Voice, Creativity + Culture
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
The Glaser Progress Foundation Grants
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Varies
 
The Honnold Foundation Community Fund: Solar Energy
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: varies; up to $100,000
 
SBHSN Principal Grants: Student Behavioral Health
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: Up to $5,000 per academic year
 
SBHSN Community Grants: Counseling Services and Mental Health Support
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: $100,000
 
De Colores Rapid Response Fund
  • Deadline: Rolling
  • Available Funds: up to $1,000
 
Want to Donate to an Emergency Response Fund? 
Connect for COVID-19
  • Donate Your Device
  • Connect COVID-19 Patients with Loved Ones
LISC Rapid Relief and Resiliency Fund
DC Education Equity Fund
Black Girl Freedom Fund
The NDN COVID-19 Response Project
We Are Family Foundation: Youth to the Front Fund
Movember Fund
 
Capacity Building Resources
The Emergency Action for Resident and Partner Stability Program
Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington
America Nonprofit Academy
Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Connect for COVID-19
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center: Legal Assistance and Resources for Community OrganizationsSheaMoisture Women of Color E-Learning Hub
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources
Candid: Foundation Center + GuideStar

Gullah/Geechee Black History screening and discussion showing the Gullah/Geechee cultural links to Brazil.

 
You are invited to the following event:
Afro-Atlantic Legacies Gullah/Geechee Black History Movie Screening
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Event to be held at the following time and date:

Friday, February 19, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (EST)

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Afro-Atlantic Legacies Gullah/Geechee Black History screening and discussion showing the Gullah/Geechee cultural links to Brazil.

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope you can make it!

Gullah/Geechee Angel Network & Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition