According to a USDA press release, through June 30^th payments were made to 43,244 farmers and ranchers who were allegedly the subject of discriminatory loan practices by the Department. According to the USDA eligible farmers were subject to discrimination based on race, gender or religion in farm loan programs.  Practices at regional USDA loan offices involved denial of loans or imposition of inordinate delays.

USDA has distributed close to $2 billion with funding available through the Inflation Reduction Act Financial Assistance Program. Financial compensation to individual applicants ranged from $3,000 to $500,000 with a concentration of grants in southern states.

Following investigations into loan practices, the USDA changed rules followed by the Farm Service Agency.  The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has now concluded with Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, stating, “While this financial assistance is not compensation for anyone’s losses or pain endured, it is an acknowledgement.  My hope is that this will ensure that many farmers can stay on their farms, contribute to our nation’s food supply and continue doing what they love.”