7-11 IAN Hispanic

Discrimination not tolerated by the USDA. As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West established a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans.

 "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," said Secretary Vilsack. "Hispanic and women 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."

 The claims process offers a streamlined alternative to litigation and provides at least $1.33 billion in compensation, plus up to $160 million in farm debt relief, to eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers. The program follows the Obama Administration's settlement of longstanding litigation brought by African American farmers and Native American farmers. Here is FSA Director Dick Rush:  “We’re really trying to get the information out if any of your listeners believe that USDA improperly denied a farm loan to and the years are 1981 two 2000 but have denied a loan because you are Hispanic or you are female.”