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Luján Office to Host Informational Meeting on Claims Process for Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers

4/22/13

Deadline to Submit Claims to USDA Extended to May 1

Monday, April 22, 2013

Washington, D.C. – The office of Congressman Ben Ray Luján will host an informational and technical assistance meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2013 to help Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who want to file a discrimination claim with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The United States government has established a claims process to make available at least $1.33 billion for cash awards and tax relief payments, plus $160 million in farm debt relief, for Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who can prove USDA denied his or her application for a loan or loan servicing assistance for discriminatory reasons for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000.  The Obama Administration has made it a priority to resolve all of the civil rights cases facing the Department, and this voluntary claims process is a step toward achieving that goal.

“With the May 1st deadline looming to submit a claim for discrimination, it is vital that affected farmers and ranchers act quickly,” Congressman Luján said.  “This meeting will provide important guidance and information to assist in the process and ensure that any Hispanic or women farmers in New Mexico who have been discriminated against receive compensation.”

There will be trained advocates available at the informational and technical assistance meeting, which will take place at Northern New Mexico Community College in Española, to guide people through the process and help them file a claim.  Last month, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an extension to file claims, with a deadline of May 1, 2013.

The meeting will be hosted in conjunction with USDA Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Participants include New Mexico Acequia Association, Taos County Economic Development Corporation, and Rural Coalition/Coalición Rural.

WHO:             Office of Congressman Ben Ray Luján
                      New Mexico Acequia Association
                      Taos County Economic Development Corporation
                      Rural Coalition/ Coalición Rural

WHAT:           Informational and Technical Assistance Meeting on Hispanic and Women Farmers and Ranchers Claims Process

WHEN:           Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE:         Northern New Mexico Community College
                      Joseph M. Montoya Administration Building
                      Room 132
                      921 Paseo De Oñate 
                      Española, NM 87532

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