Farmers' champion on the way out.

Will Espy's departure close the open door black farmers enjoyed during his tenure?

The Clinton administration is relieved by Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy's resignation, but farmers - particularly black ones - fear they've lost an advocate.

The 40-year-old Espy was forced to step down because of intensifying allegations that he violated ethics laws by accepting favors from companies he regulated. The Mississippian was the youngest and first black person to serve as agriculture secretary.

It was generally acknowledged that Espy was doing an excellent job as agriculture secretary, and that he had a passion for the job and a genuine concern for small farmers.

"Of all recent black leaders in American politics, Mike Espy was clearly somebody who understood and was concerned about black Americans who don't live in urban areas," says David A. Bositis, senior political analyst for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C.

According to the Atlanta-based Federation of Southern Co-operatives/Land Assistance Fund (SCLAF), which provides financial and educational assistance to black farmers, there are 23,000 blacks who farm 2.5 million acres of land. Ninety-five percent of black farmers live in the Southeast, says Jerry Pennick, director of SCLAF's land assistance fund.

Espy was credited with acknowledging that black farmers who are losing land represent an American problem, not just a rural problem.

Says Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney (D-Ga.), "Coming from Mississippi, Mike understood firsthand how the black farming community couldn't take advantage of federal programs available to them."

Black farmers who were forced off their land were often pushed into poor urban centers where jobs were scarce.

"I think he made it known that [the Agriculture Dept.! had to deal with people on the land and make it viable for them to stay there, live there and have productive communities," Pennick says.

During Espy's tenure in office, he fought his own department's unfair treatment of black farmers. He created an atmosphere that encouraged fair treatment of all people, from the local level up, and was credited with allowing black farmers equal access to loans and federal programs.

"I don't mean handouts," Pennick stresses. "I just mean access. That's all we've ever wanted."

McKinney says that when she brought farmers from her district to Washington, Espy made himself and his staff available. "They met with Mr. Espy, leaving him with a list of questions and concerns," McKinney says. "He responded to every single one."

Espy resigned in October, effective Dec. 31, after it was revealed that Tyson Foods gave his girlfriend, Patricia Dempsey, a $1,200 college scholarship. Tyson is the nation's largest poultry producer. Prior to this disclosure, Espy swirled in controversy over allegations that he accepted transportation, lodging expenses and free sports tickets from Tyson.

It was also alleged that he improperly charged the government for personal travel to Mississippi, and billed taxpayers for vehicles he used for personal transportation.

Federal law prohibits cabinet members from accepting anything of value from companies they regulate. At press time, Espy hadn't been officially charged, but the investigation into his alleged ethical breaches continued. Espy is under investigation by a special prosecutor.