Acronyms (colloquial) BJFTA Public law 75-210 | Effective July 22, 1937 Statutes at Large 50 Stat. 522 | |
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Long title An Act to create the Farmers’ Home Corporation, to promote secure occupancy of farms and farm homes, to correct the economic instability resulting from some present forms of farm tenancy, and for other purposes. Enacted by the 75th United States Congress | ||
The Bankhead–Jones Farm Tenant Act of 1937 (P.L. 75-210) was passed on July 22, 1937 and authorized acquisition by the federal government of damaged lands to rehabilitate and use them for various purposes. Most importantly, however, the law authorized a modest credit program to assist tenant farmers to purchase land, and it was the culmination of a long effort to secure legislation for their benefit.
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Management of Bankhead-Jones lands
Both the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management manage some Bankhead-Jones lands. Some Forest Service Bankhead-Jones lands are National Grasslands.
First tenant farmer loan repayment
In February 1943, Roddie and Lucile Pridgett of [Rankin County, Mississippi], "became the first Negro farm family in the United States to repay their 36-year farm purchase loan to the Farm Security Administration which they obtained under the provisions of the Bankhead-Jones Tenant Purchase Act." They repaid their loan of $1,495 in only five years.