According to the 2020 agricultural census, 99% of Minnesota farmers are white. And across the whole state, the census counted only 39 Black farmers. A history of discrimination in loan programs and other policies that led to a precipitous drop in Black-owned farms throughout the last century. State lawmakers created the Emerging Farmers office in 2021 and expanded it last session. Wednesday is Lilian Otieno’s first official day as its director. She joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer to talk about it.