Cong. Benny Thompson

Benjamin Todd Jealous

EPES, ALABAMA: The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund announces its 44th Anniversary Celebration and 10th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner. The kickoff for the celebration will be the Estelle Witherspoon Dinner in Birmingham on August 18 followed by the Annual Meeting at the Rural Training & Research Center in Epes, Alabama on August 19-20.

On Friday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Federation’s Rural Training Center, there will be a special session on the Pigford II, Black Farmers Class Action lawsuit. Attorney and State Senator Hank Sanders, who is Class Counsel in the case, will give an update on the status of the case and respond to questions.

The Federation/LAF, now in its 44th year, assists Black family farmers across the South with farm management, debt restructuring, land retention, alternative crop suggestions, marketing expertise and a whole range of services to ensure family farm survivability. During this year, the Federation has given relief and recovery assistance to over 600 survivors of the April tornados who live in small rural Black Belt communities surrounding Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Chairing the commemorative 44th Anniversary Celebration is Benjamin Todd Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP.  Jealous grew up believing that there was no higher calling than to further the cause of freedom in this country and in the world. It is a mindset he inherited from his parents and grandparents. Now, as the 17th President and Chief Executive Officer of the NAACP, and the youngest person to hold the position in the organization’s nearly 100-year history, Jealous is well positioned to answer the call.

The Federation is honored to present the 10th Estelle Witherspoon Lifetime Achievement Award to U. S. Representative Bennie Thompson of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Representative Thompson is presently serving his ninth term as Congressman and is the longest-serving African-American elected official in the state of Mississippi. Thompson is the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Federation’s continuous efforts to promote social and economic equity for low-income people and underserved farmers; advance its work toward achieving sustainable southern rural communities through cooperative solutions; and promote positive social change through public policy and advocacy.

On Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20, the Annual Meeting shifts to the Federation’s Rural Training and Research Center, near Epes, Alabama in Sumter County.

On Friday, August 19th from 8:00AM – 4:00PM, the organization will hold a series of activities to include exhibits; workshops on cooperatives, agroforestry, conservation, farm credit, information about NRCS eligibility, long-leaf pine restoration and women in agriculture. Invited guest speakers include: Representative Terry Sewell of Alabama’s 7th congressional district; USDA Undersecretary for Administration, Mr. Pearlie Reed; NRCS Chief, Dave White; USDA Rural Development Administrator Judith A. Canales (Business and Cooperative Programs) and FSA Administrator, Bruce Nelson.

After the afternoon session on the Pigford II lawsuit, that evening at 6:00PM enjoy the fun and excitement of the Live Auction and Fish Fry with live entertainment!

Saturday’s meeting will begin with a Prayer Breakfast at 8:00AM and a sumptuous home cooked southern meal for lunch. Agenda items include the annual business meeting and state caucus reports.

For more information and registration forms please go to our website at www.federation.coop.

 Call Jackie Ward at 404 765 0991 for information about the Estelle Witherspoon Dinner and Debra Eatmon at 205 652 9676 about the Annual Meeting at the Rural Training & Research Center.