Q: What is the Office of Minority and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Assistance?
A: By opening this new office geared toward minority farmers, the USDA is reinforcing its efforts to respond to the needs of an under-served population within the ranks of the U.S. farming community. As a lifelong farmer and federal policymaker who has served on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am personally aware how difficult it is to navigate complex federal farm policies and procedures. The deadlines and difficulties involved with implementing the new six-year farm bill is giving USDA employees and lifelong farmers plenty of heartburn. But minority farmers historically have faced even more hardship in their business affairs with the USDA. This new office will operate under the Farm Service Agency and offer a toll-free help-line to answer questions from minority applicants about USDA loans and programs. Iowa farmers interested in seeking assistance through the USDA's new minority services office may call (866)538-2610. It's hard enough to get started in farming today without running into roadblocks at the federal bureaucracy charged with administering federal farm loans and other agriculture-related programs. I'm glad the USDA is stepping up its efforts to offer equal access and opportunity to American farmers, regardless of their race, religion, national origin or gender.
Q: Why is the USDA singling out minority farmers for assistance?
A: The USDA needs to improve its tarnished reputation when handling loan applications and farm subsidy programs for minority farmers. In a national class-action lawsuit settled in 1999, black farmers were given the opportunity to claim damages for proving they were systematically discriminated against by the USDA when applying for federal farm loans. Thousands of farmers joined the historic lawsuit and the USDA essentially acknowledged mistreatment of minorities that went back for decades. So far more than $600 million has been paid out to nearly 13,000 farmers. Opening a toll-free phone line with a dedicated staff member charged with handling concerns of minority applicants and borrowers is a positive step for the USDA to take. The federal government needs to enable all farmers in the United States the opportunity to take advantage of the farm programs offered through the USDA and provide fair, timely, unbiased service. At the same time, the Department of Agriculture needs to accelerate its efforts to address the backlog of claims filed in the four-year old settlement.