Farmers, ranchers and other landowners who have experienced discrimination have received payments through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

The Biden-Harris administration said the funds were distributed to counteract prejudicial treatment that has prevented people from federal farm loan programs.

What You Need To Know

  • Farmers, ranchers and other landowners who have experienced discrimination have received payments through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

  • The funds were distributed to counteract prejudicial treatment that has prevented people from federal farm loan programs

  • Congress designated $2.2 billion for the program, which is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • Available to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination before January 2021, the program is providing assistance to 43,000 individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa

“Farmers and ranchers work around the clock to put food on our tables and steward our nation’s land,” President Biden said in a statement. “Today’s action will enable more farmers and ranchers to support themselves and their families, help grow the economy and pursue their dreams.”

President Biden said he was following through on an executive order he signed in 2023 to support undeserved communities.

The Inflation Reduction Act established the Discrimination Financial Assistance program, and Congress designated $2.2 billion for the program, which is administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Available to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who experienced discrimination before January 2021, the program is providing assistance to 43,000 individuals in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The money is intended for them to begin, continue or enhance farming operations or to offset lost income.

About half of the recipients are farmers or ranchers who are receiving $10,000 to $500,000, or an average of about $82,000. About 20,000 individuals who said they were unable to get a USDA loan and are receiving an average of $5,000 to start a farming or ranching operation.

“The completion of the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is an important moment in USDA’s history and in our journey to becoming a department that truly serves everyone who wants to participate in agriculture,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

“While this financial assistance is not compensation for anyone’s losses or pain endured, it is an acknowledgment. My hope is that this will ensure that many farmers can stay on their farms, contribute to our nation’s food supply and continue doing what they love.”