Deadline for USDA farmer discrimination initiative only weeks away

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

Time is running out for farmers who believe they were discriminated against by the USDA — to apply to become a part of the billion dollar settlement initiative.

“January 13th is the deadline,” said Selma attorney Faya Rose Toure.

Toure is helping Black Belt farmers who believe they were discriminated against — go through the 40 page application process — that can be quite complicated.

“You need help,” she said.

“And as I said, attorneys will do this for a fee, 30 to 40 percent. But Chestnut, Sanders & Sanders, we’re doing it free of charge. But you got to have your information. And we know it’s hard trying to remember what happened 20, 30 and 40 years ago. But it makes the process easier, if you can do a little research before you come.

Perry County farmer John Moore is getting the help he needs to complete the application — to get in on the massive $2.2 billion dollar settlement.

Moore believes he was discriminated against — when he tried to get a USDA loan.

“White people was getting it. And I wondered why I wasn’t able to get it, you know. Cause I seen them get it,” said Moore.

“It kind of affect me in so many ways you know. It kind of bothered me.”

“Some of these claims date back to the 60s,” Toure said.

“The good news is it’s not just black farmers. If you were discriminated against cause of your disability, your religion, your sexuality. It’s opened up to everybody, black, white, brown and every color in between. But it’s almost too late.”

The settlement initiative is accepting discrimination claims that happened — up to January 1st of 2021.

For more information about the initiative — or to get help with the application process — call (402) 404-4758.