National Black Farmers Association

What National Black Farmers Association does

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1984 by John W. Boyd Jr. and headquartered at 68 Wind Road, Baskerville, Virginia. It represents African American farmers and their families across the United States, with secondary outreach to Hispanic, Women, and Native American farmers, advocating against systemic discrimination in USDA farm lending, supporting land retention, and providing direct technical assistance with federal agricultural programs. The organization maintains a membership base described as 'tens of thousands of members nationwide' and delivers services including annual national conferences (34th edition held in Columbus, GA in November 2024; 35th edition in 2025), assistance applying for USDA programs such as the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA), Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF), and the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), PFAS contamination legal referrals, a next-generation farmer scholarship program, and policy advocacy including foreclosure moratorium campaigns.

NBFA has no proprietary technology platform or software product; its operations are human-mediated through direct outreach, annual conferences, a Squarespace-hosted website (blackfarmers.org), email newsletters, social media, and press/media engagement. The organization's revenue model is donation-based: tax-deductible membership contributions of $100 or more plus broader fundraising (including GoFundMe campaigns), with no pricing tiers beyond membership. Its strategic impact has been anchored by three major USDA discrimination settlements — $1 billion (1999), $1.25 billion (2013), and $2.2 billion (July 2024, under Inflation Reduction Act Section 22007) — collectively distributing payments to approximately 43,000 farmers. Active litigation includes Boyd v. US challenging $5 billion in blocked debt relief (argued February 2025) and PFAS contamination cases pursued with Ben Crump Law and Napoli Shkolnik.

Name

National Black Farmers Association

Legal name

National Black Farmers Association

Website

https://blackfarmers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 by John W. Boyd Jr., headquartered in Baskerville, Virginia, that advocates for Black and minority farmers across the United States against discrimination in USDA farm lending and provides direct program assistance, annual conferences, and legal referrals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Advocacy and Farm Support Services

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI)

Keywords

• Agricultural advocacy services
• USDA program assistance
• Farmer discrimination support
• Nonprofit membership organization
• Farmer education conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Baskerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Member Donations and Contributions: The NBFA operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds through tax-deductible donations. Membership is available for $100 or more, providing donors quarterly newsletters and schedules of upcoming events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The National Black Farmers Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that represents African American farmers and their families across the United States. It provides direct advocacy, technical assistance with USDA programs (including FBA, ASCF, and DFAP discrimination payment applications), discrimination complaint and legal support, annual educational conferences, scholarship programs for next-generation farmers, and policy advocacy on farm foreclosure moratoriums.

Product overview

The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a non-profit advocacy organization offering a portfolio of programs and services for Black farmers and their families. The organization provides direct advocacy support including assistance with USDA farm assistance programs (FBA, ASCF), discrimination complaint filing, and DFAP applications. Additional services include annual conferences for education and networking, scholarship programs for next-generation farmers, legal support referrals for PFAS contamination cases, and policy advocacy for farm foreclosure protections. The organization does not offer a technology product but provides human-centered advocacy, education, and outreach services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Betty Boyd Memorial Fund: A memorial fund established in honor of Betty Boyd, mother of NBFA President John W. Boyd Jr., who passed away on June 19, 2025. Donations can be made to support the National Black Farmers Association in her memory.

Products and services

• Annual NBFA Conference An annual national conference bringing together Black farmers for education, networking, awards, and advocacy coordination. The 34th Annual NBFA Conference was held in Columbus, GA, and the 35th Annual NBFA Conference materials have been released. Attendance is free.
• USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) Assistance Direct assistance for farmers who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to 2021, facilitating applications for the $2.2 billion payout authorized under Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, including regional office and mobile event applications.
• Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA) Advocacy Advocacy and support services helping Black farmers access USDA Farm Service Agency bridge payment programs for row crops including barley, canola, chickpeas, corn, cotton, flax, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sunflowers, and wheat, with guidance on eligibility, application deadlines, and documentation requirements.
• Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program Support Support services for specialty crop farmers seeking assistance through the $1 billion USDA program covering fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, honey, hops, maple sap, turfgrass, floriculture, and culinary herbs, including pre-filled application verification and 2025 crop acreage reporting support.
• Online FSA Account Setup Assistance Guidance and resources helping Black farmers establish and use online accounts with USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Farmers.gov via Login.gov to access crucial services, farm records, and federal program information.
• Forever Chemicals (PFAS) Contamination Legal Support Legal advocacy and outreach program connecting farmers affected by PFAS-contaminated biosolids to legal resources, including partnerships with Ben Crump Law and Napoli Shkolnik for litigation support.
• Farm Foreclosure Moratorium Advocacy Policy advocacy calling for a national farm foreclosure moratorium to protect farmers facing bankruptcy and foreclosure due to financial hardships, input costs, and delayed federal assistance.
• Next Generation of Black and Hispanic Farmers Scholarship Program Scholarship program supporting education and training for the next generation of Black and Hispanic farmers, with disbursements for Program Year 2022.
• Tax Planning for Debt Relief Recipients Educational resources helping producers receiving debt relief navigate tax implications and planning requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.2 billion in discrimination payouts secured for approximately 43,000 farmers (average award $82,000, max $500,000 per person)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Association of American Indian FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2024The Association of American Indian Farmers collaborates with NBFA on joint advocacy efforts, rallies, and events. The organizations have held combined rallies at the National Mall and work together on farmer foreclosure hearings and policy initiatives.
• Ben Crump Law and Napoli ShkolnikcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 October 2024NBFA is working with attorneys at Ben Crump Law and Napoli Shkolnik for PFAS 'forever chemical' contamination litigation on behalf of affected farmers. These law firms provide legal support for farmers seeking compensation for contaminated land.
• National Womens Farming AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2023Co-hosts events and programs such as the Holistic Honeycomb session at Love Cafe in South Hill, VA, focusing on farming education and business development for women farmers.
• KJ 'Skippa Mak' MarleyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 November 2021Collaborated with KJ Skippa Mak Marley (son of Kymani Marley, grandson of Bob Marley) to release song 'The Land' highlighting historical discrimination and land loss suffered by Native Americans and Black Farmers.
• Midtown GroupminorOthersNeutral third-party administrator that evaluated farmers' cases for the $2.2 billion discrimination payout program under Inflation Reduction Act Section 22007.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• Federation of Southern Cooperatives / Land Assistance Fund: Long-standing cooperative and advocacy organization focused on Black farmers, land retention, and rural cooperatives in the U.S. South. Direct peer to NBFA on minority land-loss and cooperative development, serving an overlapping farmer constituency.
• Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA): Nonprofit that advocates for family farms, fair markets, and rural communities, with direct support for farmers facing discrimination and contract disputes. Comparable to NBFA in providing farmer-level advocacy and technical assistance on USDA and market issues.
• Land Loss Prevention Project: North Carolina-based nonprofit providing legal and advocacy support to limited-resource farmers, with explicit focus on Black and other historically marginalized landowners. Highly comparable mission, geography (Southern Black Belt), and service model to NBFA.
• Farmers' Legal Action Group (Farmer Justice): Nonprofit law center providing legal services and policy advocacy for family farmers, including historically marginalized producers. Direct peer to NBFA on farmer legal advocacy and discrimination-related litigation support.
• Association of American Indian Farmers: Minority farmer advocacy organization with a documented partnership with NBFA on joint rallies, foreclosure hearings, and policy initiatives. Directly comparable in mission, advocacy style, and target constituency.
• National Women's Farming Association: Advocacy organization for women farmers, with a documented co-hosting partnership with NBFA on events such as the Holistic Honeycomb session at Love Cafe. Comparable advocacy and education programming targeted at an underrepresented farmer segment.

Broad incumbents

• National Farmers Union: One of the two largest U.S. general farmer advocacy organizations, with policy influence on farm bills and USDA programs. Broader incumbent compared to NBFA's race-specific focus, but operates in the same federal policy and farmer-services space.
• American Farm Bureau Federation: The largest U.S. farmer advocacy organization, engaging Congress, USDA, and state agencies on farm policy. Comparable to NBFA in policy advocacy and member services but operating at much greater scale and without a racial-equity focus.

Emerging players

• National Young Farmers Coalition: Advocacy and support network for the next generation of farmers, with policy work on land access, student loans, and USDA programs. Comparable to NBFA in advocacy and farmer-services focus, but oriented toward age rather than race and with a more recent institutional footprint.

Others

• USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement: Federal office coordinating USDA outreach to minority, tribal, and underserved producers. Not a competitor but a key counterpart and counterparty organization that NBFA engages with on program access and policy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=hG3kiOTI5lA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-black-farmers-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Black Farmers Association