On March 1, 2023, the USDA announced the first steps in its process for providing financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who previously suffered discrimination in applications under farm lending programs. The IRA appropriated $2.2 billion for this program, and the USDA Secretary is authorized to administer the assistance through qualified nongovernmental entities under USDA-set standards.
This financial assistance program aims to ensure that eligible recipients have sufficient information on the application process and the services available to them in order for the program to be more equitable, accessible, and accountable.
Those interested in serving as partners to the vendors should inform the USDA via email at askusda@usda.gov by March 10, 2023. Community organizations that are interested in collaborating with the USDA to conduct outreach and informational programs in underserved communities should express interest by sending USDA an email at askusda@usda.gov on or before March 31, 2023.
The USDA plans to issue contracts to nongovernmental program administrators soon, in accordance with IRA specifications. Program administrators will be in charge of coordinating the delivery of financial assistance to impacted eligible recipients. The USDA anticipates that it will complete final selection of the nongovernmental administrators by Spring 2023, with a goal to have the payments released by the end of 2023.