Over $137 million will be distributed to more than 2,100 Georgia producers who have previously faced discrimination from USDA, including unjustified denial or delay of critical USDA loans and services
Senator Reverend Warnock successfully secured funding for economically-distressed farmers and farmers who have historically faced discrimination in the Inflation Reduction Act, and has continued to press the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute the relief
During a 2023 Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock questioned USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack on the implementation of a Warnock-championed program to provide financial assistance to Georgia farmers who have experienced discrimination
Senator Reverend Warnock: “While long overdue, today’s announcement is good news. These payments, which I was proud to secure, will go a long way towards helping Georgia farmers stay on their farms and get out of the red”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are distributing nearly $2 billion in financial assistance to farmers who have historically faced discrimination by USDA. According to USDA, $1.998 billion in payments will go to over 43,000 farmers nationally, including $137,344,340 that is being distributed to 2,170 farmers in Georgia. The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program was established by Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act. Through the law, Senator Warnock secured $2.2 billion for the program and directed USDA to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021.
“While long overdue, today’s announcement is good news. These payments, which I was proud to secure, will go a long way towards helping Georgia farmers stay on their farms and get out of the red. We cannot forget that farmers waited over two years for these payments following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, and many more have waited decades after the botched Pigford settlements. These payments are a meaningful step forward in USDA’s long journey towards rebuilding trust with farmers who’ve previously faced discrimination,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.
The Senator continued: “Following the successful rollout of these payments, we must redouble our efforts toward implementing the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers and making USDA services accessible to all producers. I was proud to help make this announcement possible, and I’ll continue to hold USDA’s feet to the fire to ensure they carry out their promises to right historic wrongs.”
Senator Warnock has long prioritized helping Georgia’s farmers navigate economic challenges and getting farmers the federal support they need to grow and thrive. Senator Warnock fought to secure over $5 billion in relief funding in the Inflation Reduction Act for farmers in Georgia and across the country—including $3.1 billion for economically-distressed borrowers in addition to the $2.2 billion for borrowers who have experienced discrimination by USDA. In October 2022, Senator Warnock announced he already secured over $29 million in funds to help economically-distressed Georgia farmers receive relief for qualifying USDA farm loans. The Senator has also elevated the voices of all farmers and producers through a series of moderated conversations with USDA officials.
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