The Court-ordered process of officially notifying African American farmers and their heirs about the 1.25-billion dollar “Pigford II” class action settlement is underway. African American farmers around the country who tried to file a claim in the 1999 Pigford Settlement but were unable to receive a decision on the merits because their claims were late are now receiving information about their legal rights and options under the settlement by postal mail.

The plaintiffs and USDA announced the proposed settlement in late 2010 and President Obama signed the bill authorizing payment.  If approved by the Court, the settlement will resolve discrimination claims related to USDA farm loans and other benefits. Class members should visit www.BlackFarmerCase.com or call 1-877-810-8110 for complete information.

Class members eligible for the Settlement are African Americans who farmed or attempted to farm between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 1996; were prevented from applying for or were denied a USDA farm loan during that period or were given a loan with unfair terms; and who filed or attempted to file a late claim between October 13, 1999 and June 18, 2008 in the original Pigford case that was never considered because they tried to submit it after the late claim deadline.

Deputy Ag Secretary Kathleen Merrigan has unveiled a plan to help farmers, ranchers and woodland owners enhance productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship by using the practice of agroforestry. Agroforestry combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems that take advantage of the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock.

The Agroforestry Strategic Framework is built around three simple goals: adoption – increase the use of agroforestry by landowners and communities; science – advance the understanding of and tools for applying agroforestry; and integration – incorporate agroforestry into an all-lands approach to conservation and economic development.

Merrigan says – agroforestry does not sacrifice farmland for forests or forests for farmland. Rather, agroforestry is the marriage of disciplines that, in the end, will protect our natural resources, benefit our communities and allow for the development of other sources of income for farmers, ranchers and woodland owners. Merrigan says – agroforestry can enhance values for any landowner.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has kicked-off the first-ever National Summer Food Service Program Week, an awareness campaign to promote USDA’s Summer Food Service Program and other initiatives across the country to feed low-income children during summer when school is out. USDA and its partners are working to redouble efforts to highlight the important nutrition benefits provided by the SFSP and other healthy meal options available for low-income children.

Secretary Vilsack says – when it comes to our children, we must do everything possible to provide them the nutrition needed to be healthy, active and ready to win the future. But, government cannot address this challenge alone. The Secretary says this is why, – we join our valued partners to raise awareness about the nutrition gap low-income children face when school is out of session. Working together, government, non-profit and faith-based organizations, as well as the public, can make sure children have access to nutritious food year round.

Today, at least 17 million children in the United States face a higher risk for hunger during the summer. Although more than 20 million children nationwide receive free and reduced-priced meals through the National School Lunch Program during the regular school year, little more than 3 million kids are fed in summer meal programs.

Officials in Geneva say it will be impossible to conclude the Doha round of World Trade Organization negotiations by the end of 2011. Word is, negotiators are discussing a potential smaller package of trade concessions, however no consensus has been reached on what is to be included.  Earlier, World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy indicated that the package should focus on benefits to least developed countries.

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Michael Punke says – for the United States, a core principle of our work going forward is this: all major players must make a meaningful contribution to any package deliverables for 2011. According to the USTR Deputy, – we are frankly concerned that we are hearing more from some about what they cannot do rather than what they can do.

Many questions remain unanswered including if WTO members can agree to a smaller deal by the December ministerial and the path forward for remaining negotiations.