$1.25 billion dollars to be designated in payments to qualified Black farmers

Federation of Southern Cooperatives Congratulates the Obama Administration on
Historic Approach to Settling Pigford Lawsuit

ATLANTA – Today the Obama Administration and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack made an historic announcement in the Pigford Class Action Lawsuit first filed by Black farmers against the United States of Agriculture in 1997. The settlement announced today will provide $1.25 billion dollars in payments to qualified plaintiffs for past discriminatory treatment.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund congratulates the Obama Administration on taking this historic step toward a meaningful settlement.

"This can lead to closure in the long sad history of discrimination by the USDA against Black farmers," said Ralph Paige, Executive Director. "The announcement follows the policy directives by the Secretary that provided a moratorium on federal farm foreclosures and strengthens the USDA's Office of Civil Rights to respond to numerous complaints of discrimination in USDA program activities and employment. We look forward to working with the USDA in providing fair access and equitable treatment to all Black farmers and distressed rural communities."

Note: The Federation/LAF, now in its 42nd year, assists Black family farmers across the South with farm management, debt restructuring, alternative crop suggestions, marketing expertise and a whole range of services to ensure family farm survivability.