Fiat Chrysler wants to drive the growth of Black farmers

By Frederick H. Lowe
Contributing Writer

(Special from NorthStar News Today) – The FCA Foundation, is the charitable arm of FCA US LLC, the North American automobile manufacturer of Fiat Chrysler has donated $100,000 in scholarships to future Black farmers, said John Boyd, Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association.

Automobiles N.V., is supporting a $100,000 scholarship program for the National Black Farmers Association.

The National Black Farmers Association and the FCA Founda­tion announced the agreement Wednesday in Auburn Hills, Mich­i­gan, where both the foundation and automobile manufacturer are headquartered.

John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Assoc­iation, said the money is a huge step to ensure survival of Black farmers. His organization is based in Baskerville, Va.

“Educating Black farmers provides an opportunity to increase and advance agricultural technology, which will be passed on as a vital part of our rich farming legacy to future generations,” said Boyd, adding that agricultural programs will increase the number of young Black farmers.

There were 41,024 Black farmers in 2007, up nine percent from 37,791 in 2002, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

African Americans comprise 1.3 percent of the 3.3 million total number of farmers.

The scholarships will provide up to $5,000 to fund agriculture–related studies at two-or four-year colleges or vocational-technical schools.

“Our hope is that these scholarships provide farmers with the inspiration and knowledge to help this vision become a reality,” said Jody Trapasso, senior vice president of external affairs of FCA North America and president of the FCA Foundation.

The deadline for scholarship applications is June 15. The application website is. https://scholarsapply.org/Blackfarmersassociation.

FCA LLC is the seventh-largest automobile maker in the world based on total vehicle sales. Their manufactured vehicles include Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler and RAM trucks.

This article originally published in the June 1, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.