USDA Drops Race, Sex Rules in Farm Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Thursday it would no longer consider a farmer's race or sex in many of its farm loan, commodity and conservation programs, ending a longstanding effort by the agency to address its history of discrimination.

The move was made to align with the Trump administration's directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government and because the USDA has adequately addressed past bias, the agency said in a final rule.

"Moving forward, USDA will no longer apply race- or sex-based criteria in its decision-making processes, ensuring that its programs are administered in a manner that upholds the principles of meritocracy, fairness, and equal opportunity for all participants," said the rule, signed by acting General Counsel Ralph Linden.

The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Black farmers and other under-represented groups in agriculture have long alleged discrimination in the agency's lending and farm programs. As recently as 2024, the USDA made payments to tens of thousands of farmers who experienced past bias.

For decades, the USDA has prioritized enrollment or set aside funding pools for farmers of color and sometimes women, depending on the program, whom the agency has termed "socially disadvantaged" farmers. The rule published on Thursday maintains certain benefits for beginning and military veteran farmers.

"This is shutting off one way that the department both communicated and ensured that it was truly open for business to farmers of color, as well as white farmers," said Margo Schlanger, a law professor at the University of Michigan who worked on anti-discrimination initiatives at the USDA during the Biden administration.

About 4.5% of U.S. farmers are American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or reported more than one race, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture.