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Farmers or ranchers who experienced discrimination by the USDA farm programs can receive technical assistance filing a complaint.

WILBERFORCE, OH –Are you a farmer who has experienced discrimination through USDA farm programs or loans? If so, plan to attend one of three upcoming Discrimination Financial Assistance Program workshops, hosted by Central State University Extension.

The workshops, to be held at three locations throughout Ohio, are for farmers or ranchers who experienced discrimination by the USDA farm programs prior to January 2021. The farmers and ranchers can receive technical assistance filing their complaints at the workshops.

The DFAP program is part of Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act and provides $2.2 billion for financial assistance for farmers and ranchers who experienced discrimination from the USDA around race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, retaliation in civil rights movement, and in other ways. The workshops are free to attend and will include dinner.

Workshop dates and times:

DAYTON/XENIA/WILBERFORCE

Dec. 15, 6-8 p.m.

Room 210, CSU University Student Center

1400 Brush Row Rd., Central State University Campus – Wilberforce, Ohio

To Register visit Eventbrite, or email [email protected]

CLEVELAND

Dec. 19, 6-8 p.m.

Cleveland State University Student Center, 2121 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115

To register visit Eventbrite, or email Kelly Beers, [email protected].

TOLEDO/OREGON

Dec. 20, 6-8 p.m.

Maumee Bay Lodge and Conference Center

1750 State Park Road #2, Oregon, Ohio 43616

To register visit Eventbrite, or email [email protected]

Agenda and program

At each location, dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. The program will be presented by Windsor Group, LLC, an authorized small business vendor contracted by the USDA to implement the DFAP.

Farmers or ranchers who need more information about DFAP, or who are unable to attend the meeting, can learn more at www.22007apply.gov or by calling the National Call Center at 1-800-721-0970.

The application deadline for farmers and ranchers to apply is Jan. 13, 2024.

Discrimination experienced could include, but not necessarily be limited to:

1. Current debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm lending debt that was the subject of USDA discrimination that occurred prior to Jan. 1, 2021.  

2. Have been or attempted to be a farmer or rancher but were denied access.

3. Attempted to participate in farm lending but were denied by USDA.

4. Inability to verify your identity.

5. Discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, or retaliation in a civil rights movement.

The workshops are hosted by Central State University Extension and funded by the 22007 Outreach Support Program through the Extension Foundation in whole or in part with funds from the USDA.

To learn more about the workshops or Central State University Extension programs, email [email protected]