Federation Conversation

Episode 7 features a discussion with Jordan & Johnny Owens, a dynamic brother & sister rancher duo who both accepted the debt relief promised to them under American Rescue Plan Act Section 1005.

In this poignant conversation, we discuss their experiences of race-based discrimination, the hopes they had when they accepted the debt relief, and the impact of the repeal of Section 1005 under the Inflation Reduction Act on their operations.

As you listen, keep in mind, the views expressed by the Owens are their own views and not necessarily the views of the Federation or this Podcast’s Sponsor.

On October 12th, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund filed a Motion to Intervene in the Miller v. Vilsack lawsuit currently pending in the Northern District of Texas. In this episode, Executive Director, Cornelius Blanding, and Dania Davy, Director of Land Retention and Advocacy examine the context for the Federation's attorneys (Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, Public Counsel & Winston & Strawn) filing this significant Motion to Intervene. Their conversation also explores the history and legacy of Black landownership, the role of farmers as first responders in the fight against climate change, and the important education, solidarity and equity work the Federation is leading.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund was founded 54 years ago by 22 cooperatively-owned business at the intersection of the Civil Rights and Black Cooperative Development movements. In homage to the organization's origins, this premiere episode of the Federation Conversation features a discussion about our current Cooperative Development work featuring Director of Cooperative Development & Strategic Initiatives, Terence Courtney, in conversation with Dania Davy, Director of Land Retention and Advocacy.