United States Department of Agriculture
Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2013
USDA review of discrimination settlement administration
USDA’s Office of Inspector General reviewed the administration of claims under the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation settlement and reported on the timeliness and support for adjudication decisions.
2010
Pigford II settlement
Congress authorized additional funds and a claims process for Black farmers whose discrimination claims had not been resolved through the original Pigford process. The settlement became one of the largest civil-rights-related agricultural settlements involving the federal government.
2000
Keepseagle, Garcia, and Love discrimination cases
Separate cases alleged discriminatory treatment of Native American, Hispanic, and women farmers in USDA lending and program administration. The cases contributed to broader federal scrutiny of the department’s civil-rights systems.
1997
Pigford discrimination litigation
African American farmers alleged that USDA denied or mishandled farm loans and other assistance because of racial discrimination. The litigation produced a consent decree and later additional settlement processes for late claimants.