REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) - The Biden administration will begin accepting applications for $2.2 billion in financial assistance for farmers who have experienced discrimination at the hands of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the agency announced on Friday.
The Biden administration had previously attempted to provide debt relief specifically to farmers of color but that effort was blocked in court by white farmers.
The program opening on Friday, called the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, is funded by last year's Inflation Reduction Act.
USDA is partnering with several organizations for Black, Native American, young, and other marginalized farmers to support in the application process.
USDA had previously said it will distribute payments by the end of this year.
Persons:
Shannon Stapleton, Biden, Tom Vilsack, Leah Douglas, Matthew Lewis
Organizations:
REUTERS, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USDA, Thomson
Locations:
Appleton City , Missouri, U.S, WASHINGTON, Washington