USDA Distributes $2.2 Billion for Discrimination Payments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has distributed $2.2 billion in financial assistance to over 43,000 farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who faced discrimination in farm loan programs prior to January 2021. This funding, part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), is intended to help these individuals continue or enhance their farming operations or to offset lost income. Recipients include over 23,000 individuals currently or formerly involved in farming, receiving between $10,000 and $500,000, and more than 20,000 who were unable to farm due to loan access issues, receiving between $3,500 and $6,000. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that while the funds do not serve as compensation for losses, they acknowledge the historical discrimination faced by these communities. The announcement was highlighted by President Biden as part of his commitment to address inequities in federal resources for farmers. Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma were noted as states with the highest number of recipients.