SAINT PAUL, MINN., March 20, 2013 — Glenn Schafer, Acting State Executive Director for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Minnesota today reminded Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades that there are fewer than 5 days remaining in the filing period closing March 25, 2013.

"Hispanic and women farmers who believe they have encountered discriminatory practices in the past from the USDA have fewer than 5 days left to file a claim in order to have an opportunity to receive a cash payment or loan forgiveness," said Acting State Executive Director Schafer. USDA urges potential claimants to contact the Claims Administrator for information and mail their claim packages on or before March 25, 2013.

Acting State Executive Director Schafer stated that claimants who file claims on or before March 25, 2013, but whose claims are incomplete will receive a letter from the Claims Administrator indicating what is missing. “These claimants will have the opportunity after the Claims Deadline to submit the missing information. Therefore, claimants or their attorneys may submit timely but incomplete claims before midnight on March 25, 2013,” said Schafer. If a claim is filed after March 25, 2013, it will be denied.

Claimants may register for a claims package by calling 1-888-508-4429 or visiting the website at www.farmerclaims.gov for downloading claim forms.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.