Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, for the purposes of USDA outreach and assistance, are defined under the 1990 farm bill (P.L. 101-624) as members of a socially disadvantaged group, which is defined to mean those whose identity in a group has subjected them to racial or ethnic prejudice without regard to their individual identity. For the purposes of loan eligibility, Section 355(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, as amended by P.L. 102-554, Sec. 21(b), adds gender to the definition of a socially disadvantaged group. (7 U.S.C. 2003).