ABC News 4
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is visiting the Lowcountry on Monday to speak with local organizations about equity in the USDA’s programs.
Jewel Bronaugh said there's been a history of systemic racism within the USDA that has cost millions of acres of land and money for underserved communities. But Bronaugh and local nonprofits say they are looking to start to make that change.
ABC News 4's Sean Mahoney spoke with Jennie Stephens, CEO of the Center for Heirs Property Preservation organization. Stephens' nonprofit is one of the few talking with Bronaugh in Monday's meeting.
She said many minority farmers and landowners have not had access to resources to take care of their land and agriculture, whether that be technical assistance in the management of forestry or funds to help care for their land.