U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan urges black farmers in North Carolina to file claims in US$1.25B discrimination settlement with USDA before May 11 deadline
Andrew Rogers
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina
,
March 19, 2012
(Associated Press)
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Sen. Kay Hagan is urging black farmers in North Carolina to file claims in a landmark $1.25 billion settlement with the federal government before time runs out.
A meeting is scheduled to be held Monday at the Bordeaux Hotel in Fayetteville for farmers eligible to receive payments under the settlement.
Last year, President Barack Obama signed into law the settlement that covers 75,000 black farmers nationwide and about 4,000 in North Carolina. Most eligible claims amount to about $50,000 per family.
The farmers were unfairly denied loans and other assistance for decades by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hagan staff members have been on hand at earlier meetings to assist farmers. Including Monday's gathering, six more are scheduled before the May 11 deadline to file claims.
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