In the constant stream of controversy and troubling behavior flowing from the Trump administration American farmers seem to be forgotten, overlooked or shut out.

Along with so many other important matters, black farmers’ concerns appear to fall at the tail end of the lowly status granted farmers in general. For all the rivers we have crossed, all the setbacks we have endured, we now face possibly our greatest challenge of all. We simply get no attention or acknowledgement from the current leadership.

This lack of concern is most clearly show in the delayed appointment of Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture. Of course the top job at the USDA was among numerous important positions the White House took its time filling. But it raises the question of whether the slow action was an intentional way of sending a message to the red states, otherwise known as Trump’s base.

It is stressful that we have gotten little indication of where we stand. Black farmers are simply left out. Our voices are not heard on racial developments such as the deadly confrontation at Charlottesville or general public discussions on mainstream media outlets.

Black farmers have plenty to say. In fact, it is impossible to talk effectively about issues of the economy, racial fairness, labor and employment or social progress in the United States without including the voices of black farmers.

More than any other group in America’s history, we have been central to its agricultural pursuits. Our fate as a people has been deeply engaged in farming as a way of life, by force for the greater portion of American history and later by choice and connection to our ancestry. It could even be said that we who continue to live on and work the land are honoring our ancestors and our heritage. Even in bondage they created the foundation of our most solid legacy – agriculture.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World.