USDA Settles Discrimination Lawsuit

July 15, 2002

USDA and black farmers have agreed to settle a discrimination lawsuit. At a closed-door meeting Friday, the farmers and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman also talked about processing farm loan requests more efficiently and creating a civil rights office in the USDA. "I'm pleased with the meeting,'" Gary Grant, president of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association told THE WASHINGTON POST.

Farmers had staged a sit-in at the department's office in Brownsville, Tenn., earlier this month. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Grant's father, Matthew, and his brother, Richard, both of Tillery, NC, filed claims against the department. The Post said that Richard's case was settled for an undisclosed amount, but Matthew's and two others were not.

Another group of black farmers, the National Black Farmers Association, said they would come to Washington next month with their tractors and trucks and "shut down" the city to voice their complaints against the government.

In a statement, Veneman said the meeting included a discussion of "a host of issues in an effort to further develop strong working relationships, more open communications and improved program delivery. It is my sincere hope … that (the) discussions and agreements are simply part of an ongoing process to ensure that all farmers -- regardless of race, creed, gender, national origin or geographic location -- are treated fairly and with the dignity and respect that is each of our rights."