Resource: The North Dakota Nine and the Family Farm

In national news today, a federal judge ordered the United States government to stop all FmHA farm foreclosures until such time as the farmers and their families have received their constitutionally guaranteed rights of due process under the law. The class action suit involved some 230,000 farmers in 44 states. The judge enjoined the FmHA from foreclosing on borrowers or from cutting off family living or farm operating expenses unless the farmers are given an opportunity to apply for loan extensions and deferrals. The judge ruled that if application for these services is rejected, the farmer may seek a hearing before a higher FmHA official who was not involved in the initial proceeding.