Judge Grants Railroad Authority to Claim Land from African American Farmers

Montgomery, Alabama – A recent court ruling has determined that a major freight railroad has the right to seize land owned by a Black farming couple in Lowndes County, Alabama, to build a major rail bridge and an expanded rail terminal. The decision underscores the ongoing challenges of land ownership and the tensions between development prospects and farmland preservation. The legal fight began when Norfolk Southern Railway invoked eminent domain to expropriate approximately 350 acres of land owned by the Eddie and Dorothy Long family. The Longs, who have nurtured crops on this land for … Read more

Farmers’ Advocacy Group Criticizes Government’s Draft Policy, Citing Abandonment of Protective Measures

New Delhi, India — Advocacy group ASHA’s co-convenors have raised concerns about certain clauses in Chapter 7.1 of the draft policy that mirrors controversial provisions previously found in farm laws. The co-convenors argue that these provisions indicate a shift towards deregulation, which they believe compromises the protection of farmers’ interests. Critics of the draft policy argue that this move represents a relinquishment of government responsibilities towards agricultural producers. This concern echoes the vehement opposition that met the farm laws introduced by the government, which resulted in widespread protests across the nation. The draft policy under … Read more

New York Cannabis Farmers Sue State, Claiming Market Regulations Favor Illegal Operators Over Small Growers

Syracuse, N.Y. – A coalition of New York cannabis farmers has initiated legal proceedings against the state’s Office of Cannabis Management and the Cannabis Control Board, alleging that the current regulatory framework has grossly disadvantaged local growers, leaving them to contend with severe financial hardships. This lawsuit, lodged in Onondaga County Court, underscores the growers’ claims that state officials have disregarded laws designed to safeguard smaller agricultural operations in the burgeoning market. Represented by the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, approximately 120 farmers across the state, including around 25 from Western New York, attest that the rollout … Read more

New York Cannabis Farmers Sue State Agency, Claiming Bias and Financial Hardship in Licensing Rollout

ALBANY, N.Y. — In New York, a coalition of small cannabis farmers has initiated a lawsuit against the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), claiming that the agency’s approach to rolling out recreational cannabis is compromising their livelihoods. The lawsuit, which was lodged in Onondaga County Supreme Court this Monday, underscores a crisis in the nascent industry where promises of fairness seem unfulfilled. The group, identified as the Cannabis Farmers Alliance, argues that OCM has failed to adhere to legislative guidelines meant to create an equitable playing field, thereby placing small-scale owners at a disadvantage. … Read more