NATIVE AMERICAN FARMER AND RANCHER LITIGATION

If you or a family member farmed, ranched, or attempted to farm or ranch, between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1999, you may be entitled to compensation.

Thousands of Native American farmers and ranchers allege widespread racial discrimination by the Agriculture department in application of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) farm loan programs meant to be a resource of last resort for those turned down by banks.

The Keepseagle lawsuit, named for Plaintiff George Keepseagle, seeks compensation for Native American farmers and ranchers.

The Keepseagle suit claims that Native American farmer and ranchers were often subjected to unreasonably lengthy loan processes, unfairly denied loans, and when issued loans, were subjected to unreasonable terms.

The suit further alleges that in bad years when the USDA offered to help farmers and ranchers by restructuring their loan, writing down debt, forgiving debt and/or allowing more time to pay a loan off, no similar offers were made to Native American loan holders.

Loan applications for the USDA loans are presented to local committees, made up of farmers and ranchers, predominantly white men, who determine who receives a loan as well as the terms of the loans.

The plaintiffs claim that committee member harbored negative stereotypes about Native Americans and their farming ability, tainting the loan process. When a Native American farmer became unable to meet the terms of his/her loan, many committee members knew white farmers or relatives looking to buy land and therefore benefit from a Native American loan holder’s default.

Tens of thousands of people may have been denied a total of $3 billion in credit. Using USDA formulas, eligible claimants may be owed up to $1 billion in lost income.

The Strom Law Firm is investigating allegations that Native American farmers and ranchers and their families may have been subjected to discriminatory treatment by the USDA and has agreed to review any Native American farmer’s or rancher’s claims at no cost.

If we determine that there is a case, we will represent the Native American farmer or his or her family on a contingency fee basis and there will not be any fees charged if there is no recovery. If you or a family member farmed, ranched, or attempted to farm or ranch in the past, and you are not sure if you are eligible, please contact us for a free review of the facts of your case.