Press Release

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2012

Contact: Mark Dennis

315-477-6304

Syracuse NY Oct 11, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be hosting five public meeting across New York to inform Hispanic and woman producers who think they were discriminated against about the Department’s recently announced claims process. Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who allege discrimination by the USDA in past decades can file claims between September 24, 2012 and March 25, 2013.

Representatives from New York State Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Rural Development (RD) officials will host the meeting.

The meetings will be held:

• October 22 at 1:00 pm at the Dutchess County Cooperative Extension Building, 2715 RT 44, Millbrook, New York

• October 23 at 10:00 am at the Saratoga County Cooperative Extension Building, 50 West High St Ballston Spa, New York

• October 25 at 1:00 pm at the Otsego County BOCES, 1914 County Route 35, Milford, New York

• October 30 at 1:00 pm at the Erie County Farm and Home Center, 21 South Grove St., East Aurora, New York

• October 30 at 6:00 pm at the Frank Bratt Agricultural Center, 3542 Turner Road, Jamestown, New York

The purpose of the meeting is to provide producers with an update on current FSA, NRCS and RD programs as well as discuss the Hispanic and Women Farmer and Rancher Claims Process.

If you, or someone you know, believe the USDA has improperly denied you farm loan benefits between 1981 and 2000 because you are Hispanic or female, you may be eligible to apply for compensation and should attend the public meeting.

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