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USDA Reaches Hispanic and Female Farmer Settlement Print Email
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Monday, 14 March 2011 15:17
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USDA Reaches Hispanic and Female Farmer Settlement
By Mike Holter
 

USDAThousands of Hispanic and female farmers have been offered a billion dollar settlement from the government in hopes of resolving their claims that they were discriminated against by the USDA.

 

The proposed $1.3 billion settlement comes just one year after the government settled similar claims with American Indians and black farmers over racial discrimination. Like the Indian and black famers, the Hispanic and female farmers claim local USDA offices denied them loans and other assistance that routinely went to white male farmers between 1981 and 2000.

 

The USDA announced last month it would set aside $1.3 billion to pay up to $50,000 to each plaintiff that could prove “wrongful treatment.” The Hispanic and female farmers have the choice to take the settlement, or they can choose to continue with their lawsuits. Some of the farmers say $50,000 is not enough to cover the losses they suffered from the alleged discrimination. Lawyers for both the women and Hispanic farmers said their clients deserve more money. To put it into perspective, Indian farmers were offered up to $250,000 each to settle their USDA discrimination claims.

 

Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack said any Hispanic and women farmers who are not pleased with the settlement can sill pursue their cases against the government.

 

"The Obama administration has made it a priority to resolve all claims of past discrimination at USDA, and we are committed to closing this sad chapter in USDA's history," Vilsack said. "Women and Hispanic farmers and ranchers who allege past discrimination can now come forward to participate in a claims process in which they have the opportunity to receive compensation."

 

 

Updated March 14th, 2011

 

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Last Updated on Thursday, 27 December 2012 11:09

Comments   

 
#9 Sandy Allison 2013-05-22 22:44
I applied for a loan to purchase 42 acres that I had on a land contract, I had perfect credit had always has perfect credit but was told I didn't qualify but they danced all around the reason why I didn't qualify. Like most of you they could never give me a good reason, nor did I ever receive a turn down letter. I really feel we ladies are getting a raw deal here. We ended up having to finance through a local bank who charged us a variable rate because that was all you could get on a farm and it went from 9 % to 13 % so our payment was always bouncing up and down paid off after 15 years there is no way to calculate just how much this cost us and I am thinking 50K will not cover it even if we get that amount because like someone above said we may still be denied because it was in 1993 and I don't have any paperpwork.
 
 
#8 Lola Hamilton 2013-03-24 18:22
I to was notified at the end of Feb. 2013 I scrambled to get my application in. It by no means was professional, I did not have the time to get all the documentation I needed. I am furious at the fact that it made me look incompetent. Which I am not! Consider me for a class action please. Frustrated beyond measure.
 
 
#7 Cynthia 2013-03-20 22:04
I have been reading your comments and it just makes me more determined to try and get a group of us together to participate in setting the discrimination wrongs right. I need to point out that the matter at hand was not granted "class action status" like the black farmers and Indian lawsuits were. It is my opinion that the reason for this is that the (Department of Justice which is the agency behind this) USDA would have to pay out a lot more money if this were a class action. The language states "may receive a settlement of up to $50,000" in this case - then again you may receive absolutely nothing. As in the other cases there were no legal fees, but in this case an attorney can charge you $1,500 or 8%. As in the other cases there were a number of extension periods. This case the deadline is March 25, 2013 period! On and on it goes.....
The deadline for submitting your claims form is Monday, March 25, 2013; however, the UDSA had a timeline from September 24, 2012 through March 25, 2013. In reading the comments posted, it seems that all of you ladies were never notified. I, like I said, got a postcard type mailing on Feb. 23. 2013. When one is having to submit documentation that dates back 30 years, it is not always readily available nor are some of the people still alive. I was told in one of my many telephone run arounds, that go ahead and submit the claim form, if it is incomplete, a letter will be sent setting for the portions to fill out and an extension deadline given. Don't know about all of you, but my dealings with the USDA are if the forms are not completed by the deadline date, you are "SOL."
In discussing this matter with the attorney, it is our feeling that there are numerous issues of discrimination involved in the way this matter has been administered and lack thereof. This claims form is "voluntary." Once submitted you will not be able to participate in any legal suit brought for something similar. The foundations have already been set to challenge this current matter. We just need "women" power to get real justice done.
 
 
#6 Barbara Kempa 2013-03-17 12:15
I just happened upon this information by accident last week. I am very disappointed that in no way was I attempted to be contacted for this. I applied as a female first time farmer for a 29 acre farm next to our home. I did 2 or 3 different work ups for my application so that I would qualify for the loan. They took the information and never let me know that I wasn't qualified until after they sold the property. After looking at why I was denied I contacted the office and got a run around on the answer. I let them know this was not right and no one ever got back to me on this situation. No matter what how can anyone say they would contact people if I am at the same address and still very easy for someone to reach. I see this as an outward sign of hiding information. Let alone I am the one who has to show the burden of proof in the case. This was so long ago, I may have disposed of all the paper work. I am disgraced that not only do I have no time left to find the information, but because of the outcome of that time, my life has been severely changed due to husbands illness and this negative turn of advents.
 
 
#5 Ramona Thornton 2013-03-07 19:37
My Mother Rosie Greer and grandmother Lousie Williams was both black female farmer how can I get there names on the List. Because I didn't know anything about the black female farmer lawsuit. My e-mail is and my address is 3304 epps rd. Tchula Ms 39169 (662-235-0360) Cell (662-897-0283).
 
 
#4 Delois Morrow 2013-02-03 07:03
requesting application. any information on how to file claim will be appreciated..th ank you.
 
 
#3 Sherri Tsoodle 2013-01-22 14:55
Yes, I also did not know about this law suit. Just another point of discrimination through our USDA office of non-notificatio n for programs, subsidy's and assistance. How can I find out more about this lawsuit?
 
 
#2 shirley wiles 2011-10-28 14:30
sent paper work in for faem loan and never was contacted, when called for loan was not able to get any answer on loan eligibility, I own 10 acre's and hve the farm land to use.
 
 
#1 Georgia Brunton 2011-04-07 15:38
I am a female farmer who did not know about the class action law suit. How could I add my name to the list? or find out how I might become involved
 

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