Plaskett Shares Info on USDA Discrimination, Financial Assistance, Deadline for Farmers

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (File photo)
Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (File photo)

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett released the following statement:

“The Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program, authorized by Congress through the Inflation Reduction Act, which is designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who may have experienced discrimination in farm lending programs prior to Jan. 1, 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is committed to providing financial assistance to those who faced discrimination in U.S. Department of Agriculture farm lending as swiftly and efficiently as possible with the hope that this rebuilds trust with communities and creates a better, stronger, more resilient farm sector. I encourage all Virgin Islands farmers who may have faced discrimination in farm lending programs to apply as soon as possible.

“The application window for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program is open until Jan. 13, 2024, and any impacted producer is invited to apply at the following website: https://22007apply.gov. Applying for this program is free—and free, general help with the application is available to every applicant through the DFAP Call Center. People can reach the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program via email at info@22007apply.gov or via phone at 1-800-721-0970.”