John Boyd (farmer) facts for kids

John Wesley Boyd Jr. (born September 4, 1965) is an African-American farmer. He is also a civil rights activist. He started the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA).

John Boyd Jr. owns and runs Boyd Farms. This farm covers about 1,500 acres (6.1 square kilometers). It is located in Baskerville, Virginia. On his farm, he grows crops like soybean, corn, and wheat. He also raises about 150 beef cattle. For 14 years, he was a chicken farmer. He worked with a company called Perdue Farms. He also grew tobacco for many years. John Boyd Jr. went to Southside Community College.

John Boyd Jr.'s Work

A Family of Farmers

John Boyd Jr. comes from a long line of farmers. He is a fourth-generation farmer. This means his family has been farming for many generations. In 1995, he started the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). This group is a non-profit organization. It helps Black farmers in Virginia and across the country.

Working with Leaders

As the leader of the NBFA, John Boyd Jr. has worked with many important people. He has met with government leaders. He has also worked with farming groups. These connections help him speak up for farmers.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton asked Boyd to join a special group. This group looked at issues related to tobacco. Before that, Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore also asked him to serve on a state commission. This commission helped communities that relied on tobacco farming.

Fighting for Justice

John Boyd Jr. has worked hard to help Black farmers. Many Black farmers faced unfair treatment. They did not get the same support as other farmers. Boyd led many public events and protests. He also helped NBFA members talk to lawmakers.

In December 2010, a new law was passed. President Barack Obama signed it. This law set aside $1.15 billion. This money was to help Black farmers who had been treated unfairly. Boyd was at the White House when the bill was signed. He said it was about "justice," not just money.

Boyd also helped with a big case for Native American people. This was called the Cobell Native American trust fund case. His work helped lead to a $3.4 billion agreement. He told National Public Radio that it was a "long struggle" for both Black farmers and the Cobell case.

Getting National Attention

Featured in the News

John Boyd Jr.'s work has been noticed by many news outlets. On November 21, 2003, ABC World News Tonight named him their "Person of the Week." The next year, he was featured on CBS Evening News. He has also appeared on shows like 60 Minutes and Nightline. He has been on CNN and other TV networks.

Ebony magazine also recognized him. They named him one of the "100 Most Influential Black Americans and Organization Leaders."

Considered for a Cabinet Role

John Boyd Jr. was considered for a big job in the government. He was thought of as a possible Secretary of Agriculture. This is a top position in the President's Cabinet. Some members of Congress supported him for this role. However, the job eventually went to Tom Vilsack.

In August 2022, Boyd appeared on Fox & Friends First. He talked about the challenges Black farmers face in America. He also shared his thoughts on how the government was handling these issues.