LIBERTY, NY — Windsor Group LLC announced the opening of a local office to provide support to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are considering applying for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP). 

The office, located in Liberty, will open on Monday, August 28. 

"We recognize the importance of providing in-person technical assistance to New York farmers and ranchers applying for the USDA's Discrimination Financial Assistance Program," said Myles B. Caggins III, Eastern Region spokesman for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program and Windsor Group LLC. "Our field representatives are trained and ready to give support that eligible applicants deserve. We want to maintain the trust with our agricultural community by guiding them through a friendly and transparent application process." 

As part of an effort to reach as many agricultural producers as possible who may be eligible for the program, local brick-and-mortar offices are being opened across the country to ensure easy access and personalized assistance. 

There is no cost for the assistance.

Producers can also file applications online at 22007apply.gov, by mail or by turning in applications at the offices. 

The application period lasts through October 31, 2023. Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners are eligible to apply if they encountered discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs before January 1, 2021, and/or currently hold assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was subject to discrimination prior to January 1, 2021. 

Anyone interested in applying or finding out more can visit the Liberty office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except for Federal holidays).

The office is located at 64 Ferndale-Loomis Road #1. 

In addition to the physical office, application assistance teams are distributing information at community events throughout New York. 

The program website, https://22007apply.gov/, offers an English- and Spanish-language application that can be downloaded or submitted electronically via an e-filing portal. Additionally, the site provides comprehensive information on obtaining in-person or virtual technical assistance, supplementary program resources, and detailed program guidelines. 

The program also offers a call center, 800/721-0970, which is open from 8 a.m. ET to 8 p.m. PT, seven days a week except for Federal holidays. The call center has English and Spanish-speaking agents. 

USDA would like to emphasize that there is no charge associated with applying. Applicants are not required to retain an attorney, and USDA and the program administrators neither recommend nor discourage the use of specific attorneys or law firms. Applicants are urged to refer to the program's fact sheet, available on the official website, for the program timeline and guidance on protecting against potential scams. 

To implement the DFAP application process, the USDA has selected Windsor Group LLC to provide technical assistance and outreach in the eastern United States, in collaboration with community-based organizations. 

More information about the program, including the organizations responsible for administration and outreach, can be found at 22007apply.gov. 

Windsor Group LLC is an official vendor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Discrimination Financial Assistance Program in 29 states and territories east of the Mississippi River. 

Windsor is a professional services company based in Bethesda, MD. It provides solutions to both public and private sector clients, identifying areas of weakness and helping resolve challenging issues to ensure optimal success and growth. The company is a woman, minority and service-disabled veteran-owned small business, as well as a Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development program participant and GSA Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) contract holder.