I just read some great news recently from NCBA CLUSA (National Cooperative Business Association). It's the kind of news that doesn't get reported in the wider world too often.
The USDA is now accepting applications for $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who can show they were discriminated against in the USDA farm lending programs. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) is open to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
The free application process needs to show that the basis for the discrimination was due to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, retaliation for prior civil rights activity, etc. I imagine proving the basis for the discrimination might be challenging, so the USDA is providing free technical support throughout the DFAP process by partnering with cooperative organizations and coalitions that have experience with outreach to farm organizations. This means that a lawyer or legal services are not required to apply.
These groups appear to exist to harvest the power of the collective over individuals struggling on their own. They include AgrAbility, the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Federation of Southern Cooperatives,Intertribal Agriculture Council, Land Loss Prevention Project, National Young Farmers Coalition, and Rural Coalition.
The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2023 which is not that far away. For more information, visit 22007apply.gov or contact a designated cooperator listed above, such as the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/land assistance fund.
—Kathy Faith, Board President
The Board President loves trees.