EPES, Alabama… The Class Counsel for the Black farmer lawsuit against USDA for discrimination (Pigford II) will be available to complete claimant forms on Saturday, April 14 at the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund’s (Federation) Rural Training and Research Center located at 575 Federation Road, Epes, Alabama 35460. 

Class Counsel will be available to take your claim beginning at 8:00a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For further information please call (205) 652 9676.  Bring your claim form with you when meeting with the attorneys.

“It has taken more than a decade to provide the opportunity for thousands of farmers who were discriminated  against by the USDA to have some relief if they prevail in the lawsuit. We are now providing the opportunity at our Training Center for claimants to meet with the attorneys. We encourage claimants in Alabama and surrounding states to join us this Saturday at our Training Center to make sure they don’t miss the opportunity to submit their claim.” said Ralph Paige, Executive Director of the Federation.

The deadline to file a claim is May 11, 2012.  Paige further stated, “We are concerned at the low rate of claims that have been filed.” There are 90,000 eligible farmers, but only 17,000 have filed claims. “We do not know why so few class members have filed claims. There are, however, a combination of possibilities due to the fact that these late claims were filed 10 years ago and some farmer claimants may not have gotten the settlement information because they moved; some farmers have died and relatives may not know they can file on behalf of the deceased claimants’ estate; some farmers may be disabled,” he continued.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is making a last ditch effort to get the word out to Black farmers to find out if they are in the Pigford II class and file their claims.

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives is making a last ditch effort to get the word out to Black farmers to find out if they are in the Pigford II class and file their claims. Claimants and/or relatives of deceased claimants can find out if they are eligible to file a claim by calling EPIQ, the administrator in the lawsuit, at 1-877-810-8110.  The social security number of individuals is used to determine whether they are a part of the settlement. Call EPIQ also to make an appointment with an attorney.

There is considerable misinformation circulating around the South about the lawsuit, such as assumptions that it is still possible to sign up for the lawsuit in 2012. The fact is to be in the lawsuit, individuals had to have filed a petition up until July 18, 2008 when the Farm Bill passed Congress. In addition, some scams have exploited Black farmers by charging them a fee to get into the lawsuit. Farmers should not pay anyone for anything related to Pigford 2. 

Claimants coming to the Federation’s Training Center this Saturday, April 14 can have appointments or simply “walk-in” – but join us. Get your claim form submitted.