By Jamie Martin
The USDA has stopped considering race and gender in its farm loans and benefit programs. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed the policy shift, following directives from the administration aimed at cutting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in federal programs.
For decades, USDA supported “socially disadvantaged” farmers, including minorities and women, to address historical discrimination.
The agency now claims such measures are no longer required. Rollins emphasized, “We are taking this aggressive, unprecedented action to eliminate discrimination in any form at USDA.”
While beginning farmers and veterans will still qualify for certain programs, many DEI grants have been halted or canceled, including over $148 million in projects.
Mike Lavender from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition said these policy shifts bring more challenges for farmers. “Unfortunately, what we've seen…is the injection, consistently, of uncertainty for farmers,” he stated.
The USDA’s 2501 Program, once crucial for underserved farmers, is among the initiatives now under review.
Community farms and small producers fear these changes will limit their access to necessary resources and funding for planting and community food projects.
Community advocate Alana Henry said the cutbacks harm food access in urban areas. “What that means…is less food for the community,” Henry explained.
The Kansas Black Farmers Association voiced similar concerns after seeing grants halted, putting pressure on their ongoing efforts to support minority farmers. Association President JohnElla Holmes stated, “I hope that they will stop and recognize that we're farmers, just farmers.”
Critics argue that USDA’s new direction prioritizes large-scale agriculture, undermining efforts to strengthen local and urban farming, and reducing critical support for diverse communities across the U.S.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National