Resources
for Pigford Claimants
1.
Introduction
Claimants
frequently contact the Office of the Monitor and request information and
assistance.[1]
One of the Monitor’s duties is to assist
claimants with "other problems" that they are having with regard
to the Consent Decree. Many claimants, however, have problems that are not
within the authority of the Monitor to solve. This Monitor Update provides
a few suggestions for other resources that may be helpful to these
claimants.
2.
Debt Relief Available Only for Successful Credit Claims
Before using the resources mentioned in this Update, a
claimant should be aware of two warnings.
a. Other Resources May Be Helpful
This Update mentions only a few of the possible places
that a claimant might turn to for help. There are likely many others that
are not mentioned here that could be helpful. If a group or agency is not
listed here, this does not mean that the Monitor's Office thinks the group
or agency does poor work.
b. Monitor Cannot Vouch for Groups Mentioned
Several groups and agencies are mentioned in this
Update. The Monitor's Office cannot vouch for these groups or agencies.
Each claimant should investigate the group or organization carefully
before taking advice from them.
3. When the Monitor Can Help
The Consent Decree permits the Monitor to help
claimants resolve problems that claimants have with the Consent Decree.
For example, the Monitor can help solve claimant problems of the following
types.
a. Debt Relief
Successful Track A credit claimants may be entitled to
have part or all of their USDA debt forgiven. Debt relief is confusing,
however. If a claimant believes that he or she has USDA debt that should
be forgiven, the Monitor may be able to help. The Monitor has also written
a short guide, "Monitor Update Number 10, Debt Relief." This
Update is available by calling the Monitor's toll-free number. Claimants
with questions can contact the Monitor's Office for further assistance.
b. Injunctive Relief
Successful Track A credit claimants are entitled to
receive Injunctive Relief. This may include, for example, priority
consideration for a new USDA loan. If a claimant believes his or her right
to Injunctive Relief is being denied, the Monitor may be able to help.
Successful non-credit claimants also are entitled to a limited form of
Injunctive Relief. A short written guide, "Monitor Update Number 4,
Injunctive Relief," may also be of help. This Update is available by
calling the Monitor's toll-free number.
c. Other Problems Related to the Consent Decree
Settlement
Prevailing claimants may have other problems related to
the Consent Decree. These could include, for example, the timing of cash
payments, non-credit relief, some tax-related problems, and other matters.
Claimants with these types of questions should contact the Monitor.
4. How to Contact the Monitor
a. By Phone - 1-877-924-7483
Claimants may contact the Office of the Monitor by
calling toll free 1-877-924-7483. If the operator who answers the call is
unable to assist a Claimant, Claimants may make an appointment to speak
with a member of the Monitor's legal staff.
b. In Writing
The Monitor can be reached by writing:
Office of the Monitor
P.O. Box 64511
St. Paul, MN 55164-0511
5. When the Monitor Cannot Help
Problems faced by claimants often are not related to
the Pigford Consent Decree. The Monitor is not allowed to help
claimants with these kinds of problems.
For example, many claimants find it hard to develop the
cash flow plans and other financial plans that lenders often want to see
before a loan is made. Further, some claimants find it difficult to deal
with private lenders and other creditors. In both cases, since the
problems are not related to the Consent Decree, the Monitor cannot provide
the kind of help the claimant may need. The following groups and
organizations may, however, be of some help in these situations.
a. University and Extension Programs
A number of colleges and universities have programs
that are designed to help farmers. The programs mentioned below actively
aim to assist African American farmers.
-
Alcorn State Cooperative Extension (Mississippi)
Alcorn State University Cooperative Extension Program
Small Farm Outreach Training and Technical Assistance
Project
1000 A.S.U Dr. # 479
Alcorn State, MS 39096-7500
Phone: 601-877-6128
Fax: 601-877-6694
Web site: none
Service Area: Southwest Mississippi
-
Tuskegee University
(Alabama)
Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension Program
204 Morrison Mayberry Hall
Tuskegee, Alabama 36088
Phone: 334-724-4441
Fax: 334-727-8812
Web site:
Service area: State of Alabama
-
North
Carolina A & T Small Farm Outreach Training & Technical
Assistance Program (North Carolina)
North Carolina A & T State University
Cooperative Extension Program
Greensboro, NC 27411
Phone: 336-334-7024
Fax: 336-334-7207
Service Area: State of North Carolina
-
University of Arkansas of Pine Bluff (Arkansas)
University of Arkansas of Pine Bluff Small Farms Program
1200 North University Drive
UAPB Mail Slot 4906
Pine Bluff AR, 71601
Phone: 870-575-8142, 7246
Fax: 870-543-8035
Web site: none
Service Area: Thirteen Arkansas counties: Jefferson; Lincoln;
Drew; Desha; Chicot; Ashley; Crittenden; St. Francis, Woodruff; Lee;
Phillips; Monroe; Arkansas
-
Southern University
Louisiana Family Farm Technical Assistance Project
Southern University
Baton Rouge, LA
Phone: 225-771-3863
Fax: 225-771-5728
Web site: none
Service Area: Nineteen parishes in Northeastern Louisiana
b. Farm Advocacy Group
The following groups are generally private nonprofit
organizations that work closely with African American farmers. They are
not part of a college or university.
-
Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corporation
Route 2 Box 291
Brinkley, AR 72021
Phone: 870-734-1140
Fax: 870-734-4197
Web site: none
-
Federation
of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
Administrative Office:
2769 Church Street
East Point, GA 30344
Phone: (404) 765-0991
Fax: (404) 765-9178
Georgia Field Office:
P.O. Box 3092
Albany, GA 31706
Phone: (912) 432-5799
Fax: (912) 439-0894
Rural Training & Research Center:
P.O. Box 95
Epes, AL 35460
Phone: (205) 652-9676
Fax: (205) 652-9678
c. Legal Organizations
Claimants may have questions about other legal
problems. The Monitor is not allowed to provide legal advice to class
members. Claimants experiencing legal problems may wish to contact one of
the following nonprofit organizations that assist family farmers,
including African American family farmers.
d.
State Departments of Agriculture
Each state maintains a state Department of Agriculture.
Claimants may want to contact their state department of agriculture for
additional assistance. A
listing of all of the states departments of agriculture can be found on
the web.
e. USDA
USDA maintains the following resources that may be of
help to claimants.
1) USDA Hot Line for Minority and Socially
Disadvantaged Farmers (MSDA)
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has established an Office
of Minority and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Assistance (MSDA) to
work with minority farmers who have concerns about loan applications
filed with local FSA offices. The MSDA Office will operate Monday to
Friday, 8 to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Office of Minority and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Farm Service Agency
USDA
1400 Independence Ave SW
Mail Stop 0501
Washington, DC 20250-0501
Phone: 1-866-538-2610 (toll-free) or 202-720-1584 (local)
FAX: 1-888-211-7286 (toll-free) or 202-690-3432 (local)
E-mail: msda@wdc.usda.gov
2)
USDA Office of Adjudication and Compliance
USDA
maintains an Office of Adjudication and Compliance. The Office of
Adjudication and Compliance is unable to address matters arising
under the Consent Decree. This Office investigates and acts on
claims of discrimination involving events in USDA-sponsored programs
that occur after the close of the Pigford class period—that is,
after December 31, 1996.
Office of
Adjudication and Compliance
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D C 20250-9410
Toll-Free Phone: (866) 632-9992
Phone: (202) 260-1026
TDD: (202) 401-0216
Fax: None
3)
Farm Service Agency Appeals
Farm Service Agency (FSA) applicants may appeal many
adverse FSA decisions. To appeal an FSA decision, the applicant must
ask for a hearing within thirty days after he or she received notice
of the adverse decision. If an applicant receives a letter of denial
from FSA, there should be directions about how to go forward with an
appeal.
Footnote:
[1]
The Monitor's duties and responsibilities are outlined in the Consent
Decree and the Order of Reference. Claimants can receive a copy of the
Consent Decree and/or the Order of Reference by calling our toll free
number (1-877-924-7483) and requesting a copy.
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