The lawsuit highlights specific instances where Faust claims to be disadvantaged. For example, he alleges that while he pays a $100 administrative fee for Dairy Margin Coverage, minority and female farmers are exempt from this charge. Furthermore, the suit contends that Faust receives a 90% USDA loan guarantee, whereas women and minorities qualify for a more favorable 95% guarantee, placing him at a disadvantage in securing vital agricultural financing.

These alleged disparities extend to conservation efforts as well. The lawsuit claims that for USDA environmental conservation programs, Faust’s reimbursement rate for eligible costs is 75%, while minority farmers qualify for a 90% reimbursement. These specific financial differences are central to Faust’s claim that the USDA’s policies violate principles of equal treatment, impacting the economic viability of his dairy operation and potentially many others.

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) is representing Faust in this case, emphasizing that these discriminatory policies persist despite previous efforts to eliminate race-based federal programs. This lawsuit is part of WILL’s broader “Equality Under the Law” initiative, which actively challenges similar government programs across multiple states, signaling a concerted effort to reshape how federal aid is distributed across the agricultural sector.