White Farmers Claim Discrimination, Sue Federal Government Over American Rescue Plan Act

The federal government is facing another lawsuit over The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. A group of farmers from five states claim they’re ineligible for loan forgiveness program because they’re white.

The federal government is facing another lawsuit over The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the provision that aids farmers of color.

A group of farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois and Ohio filed the lawsuit, alleging they’re ineligible for the COVID-19 stimulus loan forgiveness program because they’re white.

The group of farmers argue the Biden administration’s stimulus plan only provides loan forgiveness to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, defined as Black, American Indian, Hispanic or Pacific Islander. The lawsuit alleges that violates white farmers’ constitutional rights.

USDA said in a statement the agency is reviewing the lawsuit.

This lawsuit comes after a lawsuit was filed last week by Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller against the federal government over discrimination claims.

AgWeb-Logo crop
Related Stories
Paul Neiffer details how the program deadline being extended to August 12, 2026, Stage 2 means farmers will continue to receive funds as USDA updates its database.
USDA forecasts historic wheat lows and record soybean gains amid drought, trade tensions, and rising input costs for the 2026/27 season.
As the federal government settles with Agri Stats over data-sharing, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Secretary Brooke Rollins launch a high-stakes investigation into beef market concentration and potential price-fixing.
Read Next
Fresh analysis from FAPRI finds passage of year-round E15 would bring limited near-term gains to corn prices, while SRE changes would put pressure on farm income and negatively impact soybeans.
Get News Daily
Get Market Alerts
Get News & Markets App