05/21/2021

USDA to Start Debt Forgiveness and Payouts to 13,000 Minority farmers in June

Some argue the relief is a form of reverse discrimination

Up to 13,000 Black and other minority farmers could start to see thousands of dollars in loan forgiveness beginning in June, as a part of the federal stimulus package that aimed to help disadvantaged farmers but has been delayed for months.

Some $4 billion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was allocated for debt relief for disadvantaged farmers of color to remedy centuries of government discrimination. Black farmers had accused the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) of dragging its feet on the program, because, so far, no money has gone out the door.

However, the USDA Farm Service Agency announced on Friday that notices to disadvantaged farmers are going out, explaining that the debt relief money is now available, and that the agency expects to start paying the Farm Service Agency direct loans in early June.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.