Source:  Press Release, 8/19/10

U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) TOMORROW will host a roundtable discussion in Raleigh with several North Carolina black farmers who were discriminated against by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Mary McNeil, USDA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, and John Boyd, founder of the National Black Farmers Association, will also participate in the discussion.

Last year, Hagan and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) cosponsored the Pigford Claims Funding Act to ensure that African American farmers who were unfairly discriminated against when applying for loans, credit and other forms of financial help would receive their due settlements. In February, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reached a settlement agreement for $1.15 billion with black farmers, but Congress must follow through with the funding. Senator Hagan has been working with her colleagues to secure the funding.


TOMORROW: Friday, August 20, 2010

WHAT: Hagan hosts roundtable discussion with North Carolina black farmers
WHEN: Roundtable discussion, 10:45-11:30 am; Press avail at 11:30am
WHERE: Farm Service Agency state office, 4407 Bland Road, Raleigh, Suite 265 (just north of Eastgate Shopping Center on Wake Forest Road)

For more information, contact Jack Pfeiffer, jack_pfeiffer@hagan.senate.gov, 202.657.2007