From FOX News Latino…
U.S. to compensate Latino, women farmers for discrimination
Washington – The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay up to $50,000 each to Hispanic and women farmers who can demonstrate the USDA discriminated against them on loan applications between 1981 and 2001.
The program was announced Friday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West.
“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.
Eligible Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers are encouraged to apply for a share of $1.33 billion in compensation and up to $160 million in farm debt relief.
Claimants who don’t want to take part in the program remain free to pursue their claims through the courts, the USDA and Justice Department said.
To demonstrate eligibility, a farmer or rancher must prove he or she sought a loan or loan servicing from the USDA during the 1981-2001 period and that they were denied or otherwise shortchanged by virtue of being Hispanic or female.
While the USDA has launched an information campaign to alert potential claimants of their rights, it cannot offer them legal advice.
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