Southeast
4th gen farmer blasts Biden admin for sending billions to Ukraine as US farmers suffer: 'Facing extinction'
John Boyd, Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, told Fox News Digital that farmers are being crushed under the policies of President Biden and criticized the administration for sending millions to foreign governments while farms are being foreclosed.
“Quite frankly, we’re facing extinction today,” Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer from Mecklenburg County, Virginia, told Fox News Digital about the state of the farming industry four years into Biden’s presidency.
“Every time I look at the news, there’s another commitment to help foreign countries. We probably helped Ukraine, probably $100 billion or so, and we can’t get debt relief for American citizens in this country,” Boyd said.
Boyd told Fox News Digital President Biden promised him a meeting at the White House to talk about issues affecting farmers and that meeting has yet to take place. Additionally, Boyd said Biden told him he supported debt relief for Black farmers but “they wound up repealing it.”
US FOOD SECURITY, PRICES ARE ‘UNDER ATTACK’ WHILE FARMERS AND LAWMAKERS FIGHT FOR FARM BILL
“We’re providing Israel and other parts of the world billions of dollars in relief and, in one instance, we even provided Ukraine farmers with financial relief,” Boyd said. “But everyone frowns when I say that they should live up to their commitment for debt relief for America’s farmers and to stop farm foreclosures.“
Boyd spoke to Fox News Digital as President Biden pushes for the House to vote on a $95 billion national security supplemental package to assist Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific that recently passed in the Senate by a vote of 70-29.
The United States has sent hundreds of millions in aid to farmers in Ukraine in recent years, and U.S. aid chief Samantha Power said last year the United States has a “collective interest in ensuring that Ukrainian farmers stay in business.”
FARMERS, RANCHERS, LANDOWNERS TAKE AIM AT BIDEN ADMIN FOR LATEST CRACKDOWN
The price of farmland rose nearly 8% in 2023, pricing many young farmers out of the market. In recent years, Boyd has been an advocate for farmers facing foreclosures, specifically Black farmers who have been fighting with the USDA in recent years over allegations of racial discrimination,
Boyd went on to explain that small farmers are not getting enough help in recent years because the “country has made it so difficult.”
“For instance, we have beef cattle prices in this country where we’re producing the lowest amount of beef for most countries, 82 million cows and calves,” Boyd said. “We’re down close to 3%, and we’re producing 1 billion pounds less of America’s beef than we did last year this time. And it’s because we’re not investing in America’s farmers and, in this case, beef cattle farmers.
“And I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been producing beef for 41 years, and I just came from the livestock market and there are empty stalls. And this is the time that America’s farmers sell beef to pay off all debts. You know, insurance and all of these things that we use that secondary income to pay our bills to survive until we start planting season. And when I went to the market, I noticed a lot of empty stalls when, historically, those stalls had been filled up with beef cattle and farmers selling their livestock.
GOP SENATOR DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM BIDEN ADMIN ON ‘CONFUSING’ REGULATION THAT COULD CRUSH FARMING FAMILIES
“And it’s because we’re not investing in America’s farmers, and they can’t hold on so they’re depleting their herds. And that means they’re not having more cows to go into next year.
“These are real issues. And if we don’t face them, we are going to be begging other countries to send us food instead of supporting America’s farmers. And all this is happening under this administration, and nobody’s saying a word about it.”
If things don’t change in the next five to 10 years, Boyd said the farming industry won’t be able to meet the country’s needs.
“We’re going to be — and I’m speaking as the head of the National Black Farmers Association — there are not going to be any farmers left if we don’t hurry up and take action in this country to protect farmers in this country,” Boyd said. “I mean, put some real laws in place to protect America’s farmers.
“These are the people that produce food and feed every household in this country, and we should have them at the top of the tier rather than down at the bottom, frowning on the acts to provide relief to farmers.”
What the government “doesn’t frown on,” Boyd explained, is providing “billions of dollars to foreign countries that aren’t going to support us when they get back on their feet.
“If you don’t believe me, look at Iraq and Afghanistan. We invested billions of dollars in those regions, and they still don’t want us in those countries today,” Boyd said. “So, why do we keep making the same mistakes? Investing all of our money into foreign countries that really aren’t going to support us anywhere. Invest those dollars into our own country, in our own infrastructure and, in this case, America’s farmers. And watch it multiply where we can leave our farming operations to the next generation of farmers.“
Boyd told Fox News Digital helping farmers is not a partisan issue and hopes the Biden administration will fulfill its promise to meet with him.
“You have an enormous amount of resources to help farmers in Ukraine, which aren’t U.S. citizens. I don’t care how you look at that — Republican, Democrat, independent. Man, that’s bad politics.”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a White House spokesperson said they “appreciate the work John Boyd, Jr. does on behalf of Black farmers nationwide as the National Black Farmers Association president, as well as the insights he provides on the struggles Black farmers are facing.”
“This is why we recently invited him to an event with senior White House officials, including Office of Public Engagement Director Mayor Benjamin and Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden, as well as Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, specifically focused on advancing equity and opportunity in agriculture,” the statement said.
“While Mr. Boyd was unfortunately unavailable to participate in this meeting at the White House, we hope to partner with him in the future as we continue our efforts to support rural communities and farmers, including Black farmers throughout the country.”
The White House also pointed to investments made into farming via the Inflation Reduction Act including hundreds of millions in assistance through the USDA and investment to improve land access opportunities.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Florida man allegedly attempted to 'club' wife, stab himself in the heart on Christmas Day
A Florida man was arrested on Christmas Day after allegedly attempting to kill his wife and himself in a murder-suicide, according to police reports.
Jonathan McPhee, 78, faces a first-degree attempted murder charge after he allegedly attacked his wife and then called 911 at the couple’s home on Pine Cone Way.
McPhee told the dispatcher, “I clubbed her, and I’m going to try to stab myself in the heart,” according to a legal document obtained by People Magazine.
OHIO GIRL, 7, BEGGED HER DAD NOT TO KILL HER AFTER MURDER-SUICIDE THREAT: ‘I DON’T WANT TO GO TO HEAVEN TODAY’
When Largo Police Department officers arrived, they found McPhee had stabbed himself and his wife had suffered blunt-force trauma.
They were both transported to a local hospital, where they are in critical condition.
“While being attended to by medical staff, the defendant spontaneously stated, ‘Just let me die, I killed (redacted),” according to an arrest report.
SCOTT PETERSON ARREST MONTHS AFTER LACI DISAPPEARED CHRISTMAS EVE MAY HAVE BEEN STRATEGIC: FORMER HOMICIDE COP
He also sent a text to his wife’s daughter saying he “killed” her and was going to kill himself because of “financial and health issues,” the report said.
He allegedly went on to detail how he would like the funeral arrangements and life insurance to be handled.
This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information is available currently.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Florida law will create safety barrier for first responders
A new law in Florida will support the need to keep first responders safe while working a call.
Senate Bill 184 will go into effect on Jan. 1 and will prohibit a person, after receiving a warning, from approaching a first responder engaged in the lawful performance of their job.
The law is aimed at helping police, fire and EMS personnel stay focused while performing critical first aid.
FLORIDA LAW BANNING HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM SLEEPING IN PUBLIC OUTDOOR SPACES TAKES EFFECT
It will create a 25-foot barrier around the responder, keeping the public at bay. It also includes keeping the public from threatening and harassing the responders while they are trying to do their jobs.
Violators will receive a warning initially, but could face criminal penalties if they don’t heed it.
NEW FLORIDA LAW ESTABLISHES SAFE SPACE IN SHERIFF’S OFFICE PARKING LOTS FOR CHILD CUSTODY EXCHANGES
The new law comes with a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The bill also outlines that a violator could face a second-degree misdemeanor.
It also specifies the definition of “first responder” to include law enforcement officers, a correctional probation officer, firefighters and emergency medical care providers.
Read the full article from Here
Southeast
Louisiana hunter cited for violations after shooting man he mistook for a deer
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reiterating the importance of hunting safety after a man was shot by a hunter who mistook him for a deer.
Law enforcement agents responded to a shooting involving two hunters on property in Zachary, a city in East Baton Rouge Parish, on Dec. 23, the department said on Facebook.
The two hunters were unknowingly hunting deer on the “same small private property” when one hunter mistook the other for a deer and accidentally shot him.
Both men had permission to be on the property, according to local media.
FORMER CENTRAL MICHIGAN QUARTERBACK TOMMY LAZZARO, 27, KILLED IN HUNTING ACCIDENT
He was hit with buckshot from a 20-gauge shotgun, the agency said. The shooter immediately called 911 for help once he realized he had shot a man and not a deer.
The wounded hunter was airlifted to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge with non-fatal injuries. Law enforcement did not state where the man was shot.
SIX ‘WINNERS’ OF LOUISIANA STATE-RUN HOG HUNTING CONTEST ACCUSED OF CHEATING, FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES
When law enforcement investigated what took place, they discovered neither hunter was wearing orange or had deer tags in their possession. The shooter was cited for both violations.
LDWF said additional charges are possible as the investigation remains active.
The agency reminded all hunters to prioritize safety by always wearing orange, which is required by law, and positively identifying your target and surroundings before firing your weapon.
“Let’s work together to prevent incidents like this and ensure everyone enjoys the outdoors safely,” LDWF said.
Read the full article from Here
-
Technology1 week ago
There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does
-
News1 week ago
France’s new premier selects Eric Lombard as finance minister
-
Business1 week ago
On a quest for global domination, Chinese EV makers are upending Thailand's auto industry
-
Health5 days ago
New Year life lessons from country star: 'Never forget where you came from'
-
Technology5 days ago
Meta’s ‘software update issue’ has been breaking Quest headsets for weeks
-
World1 week ago
Passenger plane crashes in Kazakhstan: Emergencies ministry
-
Politics1 week ago
It's official: Biden signs new law, designates bald eagle as 'national bird'
-
Politics7 days ago
'Politics is bad for business.' Why Disney's Bob Iger is trying to avoid hot buttons