World Ag Expo ~ USDA Assistant for Civil Rights and California Black Farmers

Black Farmers in California will miss Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Vernon Parker. He will leave an enormous void in the United States Department of Agriculture that could have a long term impact on global Black Farmers, we continue to pray for family and his good works.

Mr. Parker provided our nation "God Sent" service in an almost impossible situation, states Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, California President, CEO, Michael Harris.

Our USDA remains "The Last Plantation," a bastion of bigotry, racism and sexism that reflects the a slow evolution of our society from centuries of chattel slavery to "one standard of humanity.

150 years of California Grown Racism in the California Heartland is well documented and on display at the World Ag Expo is a blatant display of racial discrimination and disparaging treatment against Black Farmers. Many California USDA officials still celebrate the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision as an unchallenged legal document.

3 years of positive action and progress nationwide working with the Civil Rights Office headed by Vernon Parker. Black Farmers in Washington D.C., Black Farmers in Tillery, NC and Black Farmers in Sacramento, CA have been given many people hope by the personal commitments and direct action by Mr. Parker and his staff.

"More action has been done in a few hours than in decades" was a familar sound and a reflection of the measure of the long term benefit of by first women U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman's "California Grown" selection of Vernon Parker.

His presence among a small segment of California Black Farmers has stimulated a new paradigm and a desire to "try once again."

Mr. Vernon Parker is not leaving earth, however he is taking with him a spiritual agricultural consciousness gained by direct dialogue with Black Farmers in America. "The Last Plantation in America" remains on the Mall in Washington D.C. and our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns has a difficult job in replacing our "Locally Grown" product from Long Beach, California.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY AGRICULTURE SECRETARY MIKE JOHANNS REGARDING RESIGNATION OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS VERNON PARKER

"It is with sincere regret that I announce the departure of Vernon Parker, the first ever Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Vernon has decided to leave his post at the beginning of February after three years of tremendous service.

"Vernon has helped us to achieve many civil rights objectives and ensured that we are accountable to our constituents. His passion for improving our programs has greatly benefited USDA and won the trust of those whose voices otherwise might not have been heard. Throughout his tenure, Vernon's dignified manner has led to significant civil rights accomplishments during the Bush Administration.

"Vernon Parker is one of those rare individuals who brings people together to advance a stronger sense of community and giving. We owe him our gratitude and thanks for his service to all of our employees and the people we serve. He will be greatly missed by all of us at USDA and we wish him the very best."