USDA has delivered $2.2 billion in payments to farmers and ranchers who faced discrimination in the Farm Service Agency loan process. “Through the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, 43,244 applicants will be receiving resources,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The discrimination included higher interest rates, having a loan approved too late in the season, or service issues with the loan officers. The money from the Inflation Reduction Act went to more than 23,000 individuals who are farming or previously farmed and another 20,000 who faced discrimination in the USDA loan process and were unable to purchase a farm. More than 360 people in South Dakota received a financial award, 110 in North Dakota and 46 in Minnesota.
