HLS 25RS-1248 ORIGINAL 2025 Regular Session HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 37 BY REPRESENTATIVE TRAVIS JOHNSON SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as Black Farmers and Growers Day at the state capitol 1 A RESOLUTION 2To designate Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as Black Farmers and Growers Day at the state 3 capitol and commends black farmers and growers of Louisiana for their outstanding 4 efforts in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector in the state. 5 WHEREAS, the National Black Growers Council (NBGC) is a coalition of 6multigenerational producers dedicated to advancing the interests of black farmers at the 7local, state, and national levels; and 8 WHEREAS, the NBGC is a champion in agriculture both within the United States 9and internationally with a mission to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of 10black row crop farmers; and 11 WHEREAS, black farmers play a vital role in Louisiana's agricultural landscape, 12contributing significantly to the state's economy and cultural heritage; and 13 WHEREAS, according to a 2022 Census of Agriculture by the United States 14Department of Agriculture, Louisiana has roughly three thousand black or African American 15producers managing over two hundred twenty-six thousand acres of farmland; and 16 WHEREAS, these producers are involved in a diverse range of agricultural activities, 17including the cultivation of crops such as sugarcane, soybeans, and corn, as well as livestock 18farming that support local economies and preserve farming traditions passed down through 19generations; and 20 WHEREAS, despite their contributions, black farmers in Louisiana face challenges 21such as limited access to capital, land, and technical assistance; and Page 1 of 2 HLS 25RS-1248 ORIGINAL HR NO. 37 1 WHEREAS, organizations like the NBGC work to address these issues by 2advocating for equitable policies, providing resources, and promoting sustainable farming 3practices. 4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the 5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as Black Farmers 6and Growers Day at the state capitol and does hereby commend all the black farmers and 7growers of this state for their outstanding efforts in fostering a more inclusive and 8sustainable agricultural sector in the state. 9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted 10to the Louisiana-based board member of the National Black Growers Council, Mr. Willis 11Nelson. DIGEST The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HR 37 Original 2025 Regular Session Travis Johnson Designates Tuesday, April 22, 2025, as Black Farmers and Growers Day at the state capitol and commends black farmers and growers of La. for their outstanding efforts in fostering a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural sector in the state. Page 2 of 2