Foundation Invited to Serve as Event Host

Foundation invited to serve as Event Host for USDA’s 22007 Discrimination Financial Assistance Program Outreach Support Program

Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide financial assistance to producers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs. To implement this legislative directive, USDA established the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program. This program gives USDA the ability to provide financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, or forest landowners determined to have experienced discrimination in USDA's farm lending programs prior to January 1, 2021.
Congress directed that the program should be administered by non-governmental organizations, so in May, USDA signed contracts with three non-governmental vendors who, together, constitute a national administrator and four regional hubs. The vendors are working together to solicit applications from eligible farmers, provide technical assistance, and make decisions about each case (following rules set by USDA).

To ensure maximum producer participation and increase their awareness of financial assistance, USDA has partnered with community-based organizations, across the country with experience in agriculture and trusted relationships with producer communities. Leveraging partner networks will enable USDA to meet its goal to reach broad, diverse, and inclusive communities in all geographic regions.
Because the Foundation has been identified as a trusted agricultural or community-based organization, we were invited to serve as 22007 Event Host through the 22007 Outreach Support Program. The Foundation will host three events in conjunction with its Cultiv8 Agribusiness Incubator sessions.