USDA Announces $2 Billion Settlement For Black And Minority Farmers

By Faith Katunga, Travel Noire

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reached a historic $2.2 billion settlement to compensate Black and other minority farmers who faced years of systemic discrimination in farm lending programs. This landmark agreement will address decades of unfair treatment. It will also provide financial assistance to those affected by discriminatory practices before January 2021.

The settlement is a component of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. More than 23,000 qualified farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners will receive payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000. An additional 20,000 individuals who planned to start farming but were denied USDA loans will receive between $3,500 and $6,000.

This payout comes after years of protests, lawsuits, and failed legislative attempts to address the USDA’s long history of discrimination against minority farmers. The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), led by President John Boyd Jr., has been at the forefront of this fight for justice.

“No matter how it is sliced, the $2.2 billion in payouts is historic,” said  Boyd Jr., reflecting on the long struggle. “In 1999, Black farmers received a $1 billion payout. In 2013, a $1.25 billion payment was made in a late filers’ lawsuit settlement.”

Learn about the devastating effects of these discriminatory practices.

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