Lloyd Wright Small Farmer Awards Luncheon
During opening remarks at the Lloyd Wright Small Farmer Luncheon, NRCS Retiree and Life Member Lloyd Wright applauded NRCS for its efforts to increase the number of African-American State Conservationists. There are now 13 African-American State Conservationists nationwide, most of whom are located in the South.
He urged the African-American State Conservationists to ensure the African-American producers in their respective states know who they are and the services NRCS can provide to help them conserve their natural resources.
Wright also bemoaned the plight of the African-American farmer—saying their numbers continue to decline. He was not joking when he said “If Black farmers were green-eyed frogs, they would be considered an endangered species.”
The Organization also paid tribute to former President William Hunt, who passed away in February 2015. President Drenda Williams announced The Organization will name its Life Membership Awards after him. The Life Membership Award is now known as the “William ”Bill” Hunt Life Membership Awards.” Anthony Hunt, Bill’s son, attended the luncheon on behalf of the Hunt family and helped President Williams distribute the 2015 Life Membership Awards.

The Organization also announced the winner and two finalists for the Small Farmer Award. Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Turner of Alabama won first place. Ellis Bell of Arkansas won second place and Rickie Roddy of Texas won third.
The Turners of Harvest grow vegetables, raise cattle and produce high quality hay. They have worked with SCS, now NRCS, since the 1980s. During that time, the Turners have installed many conservation practices including pasture plantings, improved water facilities, cross fencing, pipelines, nutrient management and heavy use areas. The Turners have completed seven Environmental Quality Incentives Program contracts, resulting in a resource management system as part of his operation. He farms 152 acres.

Keynote speaker William Barber III, President of the North Carolina NAACP, delivered a passionate speech designed to invigorate and inspire Organization members, spurring them to commit to making a difference on their jobs and in their communities. He focused his speech on “Using Your Influence.”
Barbour, pastor of Greenleaf Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, reminded conference participants that the nation had 250 years of free black labor from slaves. He said America’s agricultural land has been preserved “on the backs of the slaves.”
He reminded participants of why our organization was founded and how hard our founding fathers and mothers fought for professional advancement and increased opportunities for members.
“Some of us wouldn’t be sitting here if our founding fathers didn’t go to battle,” he said. “Use your influence against the odds. Against the odds, the seeds will grow… Use your courage, influence and intellect courageously and without fear.”
He reminded expo attendees of civil rights icon Rosa Parks’s courage; how she defied the odds to enact change. She served as a spark for a movement that benefited all African-Americans nationwide. He also cited Emmitt Till’s mom who fearlessly opened up her 13-year –old Emmitt’s casket so the world could see the atrocious acts committed against him. He called both of them “modern-day Esthers” from the Old Testament.
“You must use your influence to enact change, to help others,” Barbour stressed…”History is calling us to use our influence.”
He said we can use our influence to ensure private agricultural land is conserved.
He stressed that we must not fall to a lack of willpower to take action in the face of “wrong.” “You must use your influence to redefine your reality.”
Barbour echoed what Lloyd Wright said earlier—that 97 percent of black farms are in decline.
He reminded us not to just benefit from the wars and sacrifices of the pioneers and those brave enough to stand up to authority. He said some of us get positions and then we “forget where we came from.”
However, Barbour said this…”History demanded that someone stand and fight.”
We should use our influence for a real agenda such as economic sustainability, full employment for all, a strong safety net for farmers, preservation of land for small and minority farmers and fair tax reform.
“If we use our influence, God will use his,” Barbour said “..If I do my part, if I use my influence, God will use his….Do what you can while you can.”