WASHINGTON, D.C. — What began as the Pigford court case is winding down as the Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, and the deadline to file a claim in a landmark decision between the USDA and black farmers is nearing.

The case dates back to 1999 when claimants filed suit against the federal agency, alleging discrimination between 1981-96 when it came to loans and other benefits denied to them. Greg Francis, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said the $1.25 billion settlement received final approval Oct. 27 of last year.

“The initial Pigford (lead plaintiff’s name) case was settled in 1999. Thereafter, because many individuals were left out and questioned whether they were properly notified of the settlement, it wasn’t until the 2008 farm bill included an appropriation to allow those who had missed the initial case, to have their opportunity to have their grievances heard,” he said.

Francis added that in exploring the number of potential claimants, it was determined the appropriations made would not be enough and until the filing deadline passes, it’s difficult to estimate the total number of claimants. Congress ultimately approved the additional funding for the settlement.

According to information from U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the settlement not only provides payments but may also provide a reduction or forgiveness of USDA loans to qualifying members. The current settlement affects only those from the Pigford case who were classified as late-filers or late-late-filers.

Francis said the settlement means justice – and what that means to those individual farmers will have to be explained by them – but he thinks it says the USDA has taken this opportunity to offer an olive branch and hopefully close that chapter as past. For successful claimants, the settlement could mean as much as $50,000 for an expedited claims process or as much as $250,000 for a more rigorous process.

Upon announcement of the settlement, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “USDA has made it a top priority to ensure all farmers are treated fairly and equally. We have worked hard to address USDA’s checkered past so we can get to the business of helping farmers succeed. The USDA under the Obama administration has made civil rights a top priority, which is why we are working to implement a comprehensive program to take definitive action to move USDA into a new era as a model employer and premier service provider.”

Francis said the settlement is important in terms of what lies ahead for black farmers. “It’s very important because I think it begins to build that bridge of trust between African-American farmers and the USDA, to where the farmers will feel comfortable going forward and believing they are going to be treated fairly, and the USDA and the government is going to be fair to everyone,” he said.

In terms of young black farmers looking to become involved in agriculture, Francis believes this settlement will prove the USDA has made attempts to level the playing field as well as address concerns that claims of discrimination in the past have finally been heard. “With that as a foundation, we’re hopeful this will entice young people who have considered farming to, in fact, endeavor into that profession,” he said.

For those looking to file a claim, which means those who attempted to file in the original case but were late, they have to first demonstrate they attempted to make that claim. There are a series of meetings going on across the country to receive information and help fill out claims forms. To find those locations, claimants can go to www.blackfarmercase.com

To make an appointment for a meeting, claimants may call 1-877-810-8110. The claims deadline is May 11.