US National Black Farmers Assn Calls for Boycott of John Deere
US National Black Farmers' Association (NBFA) president John Boyd announced a boycott on John Deere equipment.
16 September 2020
2 minute read
Year after year the National Black Farmers' Association (NBFA) has invited the Deere company to display its equipment at the NBFA's annual conference. Repeatedly John Deere executives have curtly declined the invitation, according to a press release issued by the NBFA.
"John Deere has shown throughout its history that it has little respect for black farmers. The company seems to view our invitations as a nuisance," said NBFA president John Boyd. "I have reached out to Mr. John May, President of John Deere, numerous times to discuss the issues raised by the NBFA. Mr. May's response is 'I decline your invitation,'" which is unacceptable.
With 116,000 members in 42 states, the NBFA represents a substantial customer base for John Deere. Many farmers would relish the opportunity to see firsthand the new and emerging farm technology that is developed to enhance their performance and productivity.
Since the racial unrest spurred by the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on Memorial Day and the shooting of Jason Blake in Wisconsin last month, many sectors of American society have recently taken actions to address the racial disparities in treatment and opportunities that plague people of color.
The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) members deserve the very same treatment as the Farm Bureau, whose members enjoy discounts on John Deere purchases.
"Service call inquiries to John Deere equipment from black farmers is much slower than their white counterparts," said Boyd. "We buy tractors and John Deere parts as well. We deserve to be treated with dignity and respect not as a nuisance."
Global Ag Media contacted John Deere regarding the NBFA comments and received no response.
