A decade-long effort to compensate black farmers who suffered discrimination at the hands of U.S. government is nearing completion. A federal judge Thursday approved a $1.25 billion settlement of the case.
Full Answer
How much will black farmers receive in settlements?
Black farmers will receive settlement payments of $62,500, including $50,000 for the claim and $12,500 for taxes. Of the $1.2 billion, about $91 million was approved for attorney fees.
Why are black farmers facing foreclosure?
Black farmers filed a class-action lawsuit in 1997, complaining that USDA denied them timely loans and debt restructuring, forcing many into foreclosure. A settlement in that case, Pigford v.
Did USDA do enough to deal with the black farmers'lawsuit?
And in dealing with the black farmers' lawsuit, the former brass at USDA certainly didn't do much to dispel such criticism. Pigford is actually the last of several lawsuits brought by black farmers against USDA.
How much are the black farmers discrimination litigation cy pres funds worth?
Lead Class Counsel in the In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation (Consolidated Case) are pleased to announce details about the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation (BFDL) Cy Pres Funds, which are approximately $12 million in settlement funds remaining following the final deadline for successful claimants to cash their settlement checks.
What state has the most black farmers?
TexasSource: USDA NASS, 2012 Census of Agriculture. Texas has more black farmers than any other state, but they make up only 3 percent of the state's total farmers. Black farmers make up a larger share of total farmers in Mississippi (12%), Louisiana (7%), South Carolina (7%), Alabama (6%), and Georgia (4%).
What is the black farmers settlement?
In November of 2010, the Senate passed an act to provide $1.15 billion in funding by unanimous consent. These funds combined with the $100 million made available in a 2008 farm bill resulted in a $1.25 billion settlement for the Black farmers, making it one of the largest civil rights victories in the country.
How many black farmers are there in the United States today?
Today, 45,000 out of the 3.4 million farmers in the United States identify as Black according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
How many farms are owned by black farmers?
The number of black-operated farms, like the total number of U.S. farms, declined 3 percent between 2012 and 2017, when black producers operated 35,470 farms.
Who is the richest farmer in America?
Harry Stine (America) He has a net worth of $3.5 billion. Stine made this huge fortune by licensing corn and soybean genetics to big multinational companies like Monsanto and Syngenta. Stine, the son of a farmer, was fascinated by seeds when he was growing up at their family farm.
How much land do African Americans own?
Thus, the most sur- prising finding in the 1999 AELOS is that—despite many decades of land loss—Blacks own 7.8 million acres (table 1). Who Owns the Land? Of all private U.S. agricultural land, Whites account for 96 percent of the owners, 97 percent of the value, and 98 percent of the acres.
What race are most farmers?
WhiteRace & Ethnicity 84.8% of Farmers, ranchers, & other agricultural managers are White (Non-Hispanic), making that the most common race or ethnicity in the occupation. Representing 6.28% of Farmers, ranchers, & other agricultural managers, White (Hispanic) is the second most common race or ethnicity in this occupation.
What of the US population is Black?
13.4%United States / Black populationIn 2020, the Black or African American alone population (41.1 million) accounted for 12.4% of all people living in the United States, compared with 38.9 million and 12.6% in 2010.
Which state has the most farmers?
TexasTexas has the most farms in the United States followed by Missouri & Oklahoma.RankState1Texas2Missouri3Iowa4Oklahoma6 more rows•Jul 22, 2022
Where is the black farmer's farm?
Based on the Devon/Cornwall border The Black Farmer is a dedicated gluten free brand that celebrates British farming and uses only RSPCA Assured protein for our range of sausages, burgers, meatballs, bacon, chicken, cheese and eggs. Our products are available in supermarkets across the UK and online via Ocado.
Are Black farmers discriminated against?
The USDA has admitted to having discriminated against black farmers. By 1992 the number of black farmers had declined by 98%, compared to a 94% decline among all groups.
Why is farming so white?
There are some obvious reasons why farming is predominantly white. Firstly, rural parts of the country are far less diverse. Secondly, many farms tend to have been handed down through generations.
What is the Pigford settlement?
Glickman (1999) was a class action lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), alleging that it had racially discriminated against African-American farmers in its allocation of farm loans and assistance between 1981 and 1996. The lawsuit was settled on April 14, 1999, by Judge Paul L.
What percent of Africans are farmers?
61 percentOverall, this “horn” of the African continent contains a population of 626 million people, and 384 million—or 61 percent—of them are farmers. Roughly 65 percent of Africa's population relies on subsistence farming. Subsistence farming, or smallholder agriculture, is when one family grows only enough to feed themselves.
How does USDA distorted data to conceal decades of discrimination against black farmers?
An investigation by The Counter found that USDA promoted misleading data to depict a fictional renaissance in Black farming. That narrative falsely inflated the department's record on civil rights—and ultimately cost Black farmers land, money, and agency.
What counts as farming?
According to the United States Internal Revenue Service, a business qualifies as a farm if it is actively cultivating, operating or managing land for profit. A farm includes livestock, dairy, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruit.
Why did black farmers gather outside the White House gates?
Two years later, a group of black farmers assembled outside the White House gates to protest racism within USDA. The national media covered the assemblage and aired the group's charges.
How much did the USDA spend on settlement ads?
Meanwhile, USDA spent over $400,000 taking out ads on the settlement in a variety of print media and on television. The push was on. According to one Delta farmer who attended class-counsel meetings, attorneys promised “easy money quick. They wanted as many names on the signup sheet as possible.
Why was Pigford filed?
Chief among the reasons are that Pigford was filed on behalf of black farmers alone for a specific time period and, most importantly, the political climate was ripe for the charges. In 1994, Dan Glickman was named secretary of agriculture, replacing Mississippian Mike Espy.
What was the last lawsuit against the USDA?
Pigford is actually the last of several lawsuits brought by black farmers against USDA. As late as 1995, a lawsuit charging USDA with racism against not only blacks but also Hispanics was filed in Washington, D.C. Titled Williams vs. Glickman, the suit was quickly given the boot by Judge Tom Flannery, who said the suit wasn't worthy of class-action status.
How to become a claimant other than skin color?
First, you have to have been discriminated against during the “window” outlined above. Second, you must claim to have applied for a loan or payment and been turned down for discriminatory reasons. Third, you must have filed a discrimination complaint prior to July 1997.
What ethnic groups have filed lawsuits against the USDA?
Meanwhile, from all colors of the ethnic rainbow, copycat lawsuits have sprung up. American Indians, Asians, Hispanics and whites have all filed, or are preparing to file, separate suits alleging discrimination and incompetence at the hands of USDA agencies.
Is there discrimination within the USDA?
Few would argue that there haven't been instances of discrimination within USDA agencies in the past. But with so many groups leveling the charge and telling essentially the same story (late FSA loans resulting in late planting and poor yields, bad book-keeping, failure to disclose loan options or new programs properly, etc.), the overriding charge should perhaps shift from discrimination to simple bureaucratic ineptitude. And in dealing with the black farmers' lawsuit, the former brass at USDA certainly didn't do much to dispel such criticism.
What did the lawsuit against the USDA say about black farmers?
The lawsuit said the agency discriminated against Black farmers on the basis of race and failed to investigate such claims from 1983 to 1997. It pointed to the USDA's unfair treatment of Black farmers when applying for farm loans and assistance, which led to higher rates of foreclosure and financial ruin for them while most USDA loans went to corporations and white male farmers. Black male applicants who did receive loans got $4,000 less on average than white males—and Black farmers often didn't bother to appeal because they lacked confidence they'd be treated fairly, according to a 1994 USDA-commissioned study.
What is the relationship between the USDA and black farmers?
The USDA's relationship with Black farmers has been flawed from the start. Established during Lincoln's presidency to function as what he called "the people's department," the USDA has a long history of failing to serve all people equally.
What was the largest civil rights settlement ever won against the U.S. government?
The USDA's $1 billion Pigford settlement was the largest civil rights settlement ever won against the U.S. government.
What is the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund?
Meanwhile, as the lawsuits challenging the targeted debt relief make their way through the courts, the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund—a nonprofit cooperative association of Black farmers, landowners, and cooperatives based in rural Georgia— is asking Black farmers facing foreclosure due to USDA loans to contact them for help.
How did the Clinton Justice Department slow the flow of money to black farmers?
Even after a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, the Clinton Justice Department slowed the flow of money to Black farmers by opposing blanket mediation and insisting that each case had to be investigated separately. A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on Pigford also noted that the judge was "surprised and disappoint [ed]" that the USDA chose to exclude from the consent decree a line promising in the future to exert "best efforts to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination."
What happened to the debt relief program?
The targeted debt relief program had already been temporarily blocked by a restraining order in a separate case brought by a white farmer in Wisconsin using the same argument.
What states are suing for the American Rescue Plan?
The targeted funding in the American Rescue Plan was supposed to help correct this legacy of discrimination—but now lawsuits filed in at least seven states including Florida, Tennessee, and Texas are casting it as discrimination against white farmers.
Why did the New Deal affect the Black farmers?
Part of the reason was displacement of Black farmers due to New Deal legislation, whose purpose was to help farmers by paying them to reduce crop production, thereby forcing food prices to rise. But white farmers used the money to purchase mechanical farming equipment and pushed out Black sharecroppers whose work was no longer needed due to the decreased production.
How many black farmers were there in 1920?
Black farmers peaked in number in 1920 when there were 949,889 ; today there are only 48,697; they account for only 1.4% of the country’s 3.4 million farmers (95% of US farmers are white) and own 0.52% of America’s farmland. Part of the reason was displacement of Black farmers due to New Deal legislation, whose purpose was to help farmers by paying ...
What was the Pigford Settlement?
In 1999, the Clinton administration admitted that the USDA’s loan practices were discriminatory, in what is now known as the Pigford Settlement. The Pigford Settlement was named for ...
What is the need that may seem new but points to a historic problem?
Another need that may seem new but points to a historic problem is means of communication. Washington says many Black farmers were upset about how payments from the Trump administration’s tariffs were rolled out. “And that leads to another thing you hear about: access to broadband technology in some of these communities. USDA is increasing its reliance on using that vehicle as a way to push out information, forgetting that a lot of people just don’t have access.”
Who was the lead plaintiff in the Pigford settlement?
The Pigford settlement was named for the Black farmer Timothy Pigford of North Carolina, who was the lead plaintiff in a victorious 1997 class-action lawsuit – still the largest civil rights settlement ever won against the federal government. It was supposed to pay just over $1bn to Black farmers, but less than 16,000 payments were received, even though more than 22,000 claims were filed.
Is farming while black easier?
Farming while Black, according to Rodney Bradshaw, never gets any easier. “My feeling before [the injunction] was that we’re finally getting some justice that was due to us after the Pigford agreement [a discrimination settlement in the late 1990s]. Now, it’s that promises to Black farmers are always put on hold,” says Bradshaw, of Jetmore, Kansas.
Who speaks regularly with black farmers?
Washington speaks regularly with Black farmers and recently held conversations through a partnership with Tuskegee University to get information on the effects of Covid-19 in the Black farming community.
Why are black farmers not getting loans?
Poor credit is the most common reason cited for rejection of Black farmers’ direct loan applications, even though the program is designed for farmers who are unable to get loans from other financial institutions.
When did black farmers file a class action lawsuit?
Black farmers filed a class-action lawsuit in 1997, complaining that USDA denied them timely loans and debt restructuring, forcing many into foreclosure. A settlement in that case, Pigford v.
Why did farmers of color receive the least amount of food assistance?
Farm size was also a reason so few farmers of color received aid under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, which were grant payments to farmers intended to offset lost sales during the pandemic. Black farmers received the smallest share among socially disadvantaged groups.
What are the barriers to black farmers?
In addition to forgiving debt, advocates for Black farmers want the administration to address barriers such as loan terms that favor large, wealthy farms, a complex application process, and poor service and inequity at local USDA offices.
What is the Justice for Black Farmers Act?
300 (117), — legislation that they say includes many of the changes they want to see at USDA, such as increased oversight and an independent financial institution to provide unbiased lending.
Which group received the smallest share among socially disadvantaged groups?
Black farmers received the smallest share among socially disadvantaged groups. “It's pretty clear white farmers did pretty well under that program because of the way it was structured. It's structured on size, it's structured on production,” Vilsack said during a recent White House press conference.
Is the USDA reviewing all agencies?
The USDA said it is reviewing all of the department’s agencies and programs through an internal working group. It will examine how to provide better technical assistance for socially disadvantaged and local producers, as well as improve access to land and markets. An external review is set to begin in the fall.
How much money did Congress give to settle the USDA lawsuit?
Congress has provided $1.25 billion to settle this lawsuit. This money is called the Settlement Fund. After deducting certain amounts, including the costs of administering this Settlement and attorneys’ fees and expenses, the remaining Settlement Fund will be distributed to Class Members whose claims are approved by a Court-appointed Neutral. In addition to cash payments, the Settlement will also provide reductions or forgiveness of USDA loans for certain Class Members who qualify, in addition to payments to cover additional income tax you may owe as a result of your award.
When was the late filing deadline for the Pigford settlement?
The Court in Pigford allowed people to file a petition (“Late-Filing Request”) to request that their claims be considered after the original claims deadline (October 12, 1999).
When was Pigford v. Glickman settled?
In 1999, a lawsuit called Pigford v. Glickman (“Pigford”) was settled. The lawsuit involved claims by African American farmers that the USDA had discriminated against them between 1981 and 1996 based on race, wrongfully denying them farm loans, loan servicing, and other benefits, or giving them loans with unfair terms.
When was the late filing request for Pigford denied?
The Late-Filing Request had to be submitted by September 15, 2000. If those people could not demonstrate that that their late filing was due to “extraordinary circumstances beyond their control,” their claim request in Pigford was denied. These people are called “Late Filers.”.
How does a lawyer's fee work in a settlement?
If you hired your own lawyer, that lawyer’s fee will be subtracted by the Claims Administrator from the amount you receive from the Settlement. There are limits on what that fee may be:
How to get a copy of the settlement agreement?
You can get a copy of the Settlement Agreement by clicking here or by calling toll-free, 1-877-810-8110.
What is a class action settlement?
A class action Settlement has been reached between certain African American farmers and the USDA. If you are eligible for benefits from this Settlement, you have a right to know about it and about all of your options before the Court decided whether to approve the Settlement.
How many black farmers filed claims in the $1.2 billion settlement?
About 40,000 black farmers filed claims in the $1.2 billion settlement, which ended a discrimination case against the United States Department of Agriculture. In 2010, President Obama signed the bill authorizing compensation for discrimination in farm lending by federal officials.
When will black farmers receive their payments?
March 17, 2020. 18363. (iStock/jacoblund) After years of protests and lawsuits, black farmers in the south will begin receiving payments this week as a result of a $1.2 billion settlement in their discrimination case against federal agriculture officials.
How many farmers in Mississippi are receiving checks?
About 18,000 farmers in total are expected to receive checks over the next few days, according to reports from The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi . This is the second round of funding for black farmers.
How many farmers of color lost their land to foreclosure?
But when he was brought back in as a consultant to the department in 2011, he said all but one of the 30 original Pigford claimants he was able to interview had lost land acreage since.
When was the first congressional hearing on the issue of farmers of color?
Multiple Congressional hearings have been held on the topic since the first in 1999.
How many farmers of color qualify for the USDA?
The USDA estimates roughly 16,000 farmers of color qualify for this new relief program. Ironically, that represents less than 10% of farmers of color in the U.S. Most don't seek credit from the USDA nowadays.
What did Vilsack say about the new program?
Vilsack called the new program "a very, very important first step," while acknowledging, "The Department of Agriculture has a lot of work to do.". "It's not the beginning and end with our announcement today," he told the crowd. "It's the beginning of a beginning.".
Why is the USDA declining?
There are myriad reasons for the decline. If you ask farmers, the USDA's lack of aid is chief among them. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack acknowledged as much during his recent trip to Georgia.
What is wholesale debt relief?
Wholesale debt relief for "socially disadvantaged farmers," including Black, Native American and other farmers of color, is an unprecedented move by the department and its lending arm, the Farm Service Agency.
How many claims were approved under Pigford?
Ultimately, under Pigford, nearly 16,000 claims were approved for monetary payments.
