AdJohn Boyd Jr., a Virginia farmer who is president of the National Black Farmers Association, has voiced his concerns during several conversations with the nominee.
AdSome Black farmers want Biden to sign an executive order they drafted halting foreclosures on Black-owned farms and making other civil rights reforms.
But Vilsack's supporters contend lending to Black farmers was prioritized during his time at the department.
At the beginning of Obama's first term, USDA made 557 direct farm loans to Black farmers, representing less than 2.4% of all direct loans.
By 2015, that number had risen to 945 loans, with nearly 3.4% of direct loans going to Black farmers.