discrimination

Fed complaint: Cargill discriminated against Arkansas turkey processing plant job-seekers

The U.S. Labor Department says one of the nation's largest meatpackers systematically discriminated against more than 4,000 qualified applicants who sought entry-level jobs at a turkey processing plant in Arkansas. The government seeks to cancel more than $550 million in contracts with the U.S. Defense Department and prevent future contracts until the company stops what they call discriminatory practices.

By Associated Press , November 29, 2011

USDA taking requests for settlement information for female, Hispanic farmers

WASHINGTON — In an attempt to end the discrimination cases that female and Hispanic farmers have brought against the Agriculture Department, the federal government has begun accepting requests for settlement information. But a lawyer for the Hispanic farmers has filed another case, and Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asked March 22 for a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on civil rights practices at USDA.

By Jerry Hagstrom , March 29, 2011

Who is eligible for settlement?

BISMARCK, N.D. — Today’s column will be about a historic legal settlement with the U.S. government that could benefit tens of thousands of American Indian farmers and ranchers nationwide, including many from the Agweek readership area.

By Derrick Braaten , February 08, 2011

Obama approves USDA settlement for black, Native American farmers

WASHINGTON — President Obama Dec. 8 signed into law a multibillion- dollar settlement for black farmers who accused the Agriculture Department of discrimination in the provision of farm and housing loans, but his administration faces criticism from Hispanic and women farmers throughout the country who say the settlements offered to them are not as generous as those made to black and Native American farmers.

By Jerry Hagstrom , December 14, 2010

Obama signs law for Indian tribes, black farmers

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed landmark legislation to pay American Indian landowners and black farmers $4.6 billion to deal with claims of government mistreatment over many decades.

By Matthew Daly , December 08, 2010

House clears Indian, black farmer settlements

WASHINGTON — The House on Tuesday passed landmark legislation to pay for some $4.6 billion in settlements with American Indians and black farmers who say they faced discrimination and mistreatment from the government.

By Ben Evans , December 01, 2010

Congress poised to pass Indian, black farmer deals

WASHINGTON — Would-be farmer Carl Eggleston has been waiting nearly a decade to refile his claim against the government for the discrimination he says he faced when he tried to start a hog farm on his Virginia property.

By Ben Evans , November 30, 2010

NC black farmers group pushes payoff from Congress

TILLERY, N.C. — An organization of black farmers is holding a rally to draw attention to efforts to get Congress to write checks to settle what it calls a legacy of U.S. Department of Agriculture discrimination.

October 26, 2010

Status hearing in Native Americans’ case set for Oct. 19

WASHINGTON — The Native American discrimination case filed in 1997 against the Agriculture Department on behalf of Marilyn and George Keepseagle of Fort Yates, N.D., and Native American farmers nationwide appears to be near settlement, lawyers for the Justice Department and the plaintiffs told a federal District Court judge on Oct. 14.

By Jerry Hagstrom , October 19, 2010

Despite Sherrod spotlight, black farmers denied

WASHINGTON — Black farmers, due $1.2 billion for a legacy of discrimination by the Agriculture Department, suffered a new and disheartening setback this week, despite the national spotlight provided by the quickly disavowed firing of a black department worker.

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Ben Evans , July 27, 2010

Discrimination suits near resolution

WASHINGTON — Lawyers for Native American farmers and the government appear to be making progress in settling the class-action discrimination case filed by Marilyn Keepseagle, a Fort Yates, N.D., farmer in 1997, against the Agriculture Department, while the Obama administration announced an initial proposal to settle discrimination cases brought by Rosemary Love, a Harlem, Mont., farmer and Hispanic farmers.

By Jerry Hagstrom , May 31, 2010

AP source: USDA offers discrimination settlement

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Tuesday offered $1.3 billion to settle complaints from female and Latino farmers who say they faced discrimination from the Agriculture Department.

By Ben Evans , May 26, 2010

Native American farmers want answers

WASHINGTON — Black farmers signaled April 1 that they will be patient while Congress and the Obama administration try to find $1.15 billion to settle USDA discrimination cases, but the administration is now under pressure to settle a similar suit brought by Native American farmers.

By Jerry Hagstrom , April 05, 2010

Congress to find funding to settle pending USDA discrimination lawsuits

WASHINGTON — Congress will figure out a way to provide $1.15 billion in payments to black farmers for past Agriculture Department discrimination, House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told Agweek on March 25 after reminding USDA officials that cases brought by Native American, Hispanic and women farmers still are pending.

By Jerry Hagstrom , March 29, 2010

USDA aims to resolve Indian farmers' claims

The Obama administration intends to seek resolution to a lawsuit filed by American Indian farmers who alleged discrimination in the granting of federal agricultural loans over three decades. The lawsuit, filed in 1999, contends Indian farmers and ranchers lost about $500 million during the past three decades because of discrimination in lending from the Agriculture Department’s Farm Service Agency.

By Ken Thomas , November 08, 2009

DISCRIMINATION