The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an about face on Thursday with regard to how it will consider farmer applications for loans and programs, moving forward.
Specifically, the agency says it will no longer consider a farmer’s gender or race in the decision-making process for how dollars in such programs will be awarded.
The decision ends a longstanding effort by the agency and the Trump administration to address bias and discrimination.
“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 acting General Counsel Ralph Linden.
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, roughly 4.5% of farmers are considered persons of color or of mixed race.
The New Rule Is In Effect
While many rules are posted as a draft first for public comment, agency officials posted this rule in its finalized form without soliciting input. The rule went into effect immediately, July 10.
“These actions collectively support the conclusion that past discrimination has been sufficiently addressed and that further race- and sex-based remedies are no longer necessary or legally justified under current circumstances,” a consortium wrote in the Federal Register.
The groups weighing in included: Office of the Secretary, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Commodity Credit Corporation, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service, USDA.
Trump Administration Dismantles DEI Policies
The new rule is part of the Trump administration’s directives to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies across the federal government.
In a prepared statement, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins reprimanded former President Joe Biden and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, respectively, for looking at “any way possible to give taxpayer dollars to anyone they could based on the color of their skin, not based on merit or need.”
Rollins added, as long as she is Secretary of Agriculture, “when we find leftover Biden discrimination in our programs, we will hold those persons who have committed these insidious acts accountable and take swift action to correct these illegal actions.”
Previous Lawsuits Played A Role
In making the new rule, USDA referenced various lawsuits over its prioritization of racial groups.
Black farmers and other 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.
In addition, white farmers, some backed by prominent Republicans, have sued the agency, claiming discrimination.
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