May 12, 2009 - The Obama Administration and Secretary of Agriculture Thomas
Vilsack made an historic announcement
in the
Pigford Class Action Lawsuit
first filed by Black farmers against the United States of Agriculture
in
1997. The settlement announced that it will provide $1.25 billion dollars in
payments to qualified plaintiffs for
past discriminatory treatment.
The
Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund congratulates the Obama Administration on taking this historic step toward a meaningful settlement.
"This can lead
to closure in the long sad history of discrimination by the
USDA against Black farmers," said Ralph Paige, Executive Director.
