Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement - Keepseagle v. Vilsack
On October 19, 2010, USDA and the Department of Justice announced the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed against USDA by Native American farmers (Keepseagle) alleging discrimination by USDA. The settlement, which received final approval by a Federal court, ends litigation concerning discrimination complaints from Native Americans generally covering the period 1981-1999. Under the settlement agreement, $680 million will be made available to eligible class members to compensate them for their discrimination claims, plus debt forgiveness and tax relief.

The claim filing deadline for the Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) is December 27, 2011.

Meetings are scheduled across the United States to provide claims form assistance. As part of this effort, a series of meetings will be conducted in Dulac, Louisiana, December 6, 7, and 8, 2011.

For a complete list of claims form assistance meetings, click here, or visit: https://www.indianfarmclass.com//Meetings.aspx.

For more information on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or Soil and Water Conservation Districts, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or Soil and Water Conservation District.

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

The claim filing deadline
for the Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack) is
December 27, 2011.

Commitment to Equality
USDA believes every farmer and rancher should be treated equally and fairly, and we are committed to resolving all cases involving allegations of past discrimination by individuals.

Referral Guide for USDA Settlements and Claims Adjudication Process

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process
If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation. To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429. To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov

Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack)
If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To request a claims package by telephone, call: 1-888-233-5506. To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit: www.indianfarmclass.com

African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II)
If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement. To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826. To find information online, please visit: www.blackfarmercase.com

USDA NRCS Access Opportunity Equity Partnerships

To find out more about this conservation opportunity and more, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Office Locator