$383 million in financial assistance announced for Alabama farmers

Alabama farmers will be among thousands of other recipients of $383,704,620 in funding under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. 

An announcement from Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) said that payments will be given by the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to 10,907 eligible Alabama farmers, ranchers, and landowners. 

The announcement added that the program provides financial assistance for  farmers, ranchers, and landowners who claimed discrimination before January 2021. 

“As the only member of the Alabama Delegation to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, I am thrilled that over $383 million in funding will address historic injustice faced by so many Alabama farmers,” said Sewell. “I would like to thank President Biden and Vice President Harris for their unwavering support of Alabama’s rural communities! I would also like to thank my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus for working so closely with me to ensure that this historic funding was included in the Inflation Reduction Act!" 

“For generations, many Alabama farmers experienced discrimination in farm loan programs. As a daughter of the Black Belt, I grew up knowing so many family members, friends, and neighbors who were denied loans because of their skin color. At this historic moment, the Biden-Harris Administration is taking meaningful action to address this injustice!”

More 23,000 people who have or had a farming or ranching operation are reportedly receiving between $10,000 and $500,000 for assistance, with an average of close $82,000, Sewell's announcement says. 

This also includes more than 20,000 who planned to have a farming or ranching operation but were allegedly unable to obtain loans from the USDA. They will receive $3,500 and $6,000 of assistance, with an average of $5000.