USDA Drops “Socially Disadvantaged” Policy, Sparking Backlash From Black Farmers and Lawmakers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is eliminating the term “socially disadvantaged” from its programs, sparking concerns among Black farmers and lawmakers who say the decision will undercut efforts to correct decades of racial discrimination. The designation, adopted in the 1990 Farm Bill, was originally intended to assist minority farmers who faced systemic barriers in accessing resources. But now, under President Trump’s administration, the USDA has announced a race-neutral approach, stating it will prioritize “meritocracy, fairness, and equal opportunity.”

Lloyd Wright, an 84-year-old Black farmer and former USDA official, wasn’t surprised by the move but called it damaging. “They’re eliminating ‘socially disadvantaged’ and anything else dealing with DEI,” he said. While he criticizes the broad application of the term, he maintains that compensation is due: “I don’t think I’m socially disadvantaged. I just happen to be Black, and they discriminated against me because I’m Black.”

Critics say the policy rollback ignores the USDA’s long history of exclusion and harm. Rep. Shontel Brown of Ohio called it part of “Trump’s resegregation agenda,” adding, “The ‘socially disadvantaged’ designation was a long overdue recognition of the barriers to land, credit and opportunity that farmers of color have faced for generations.” Rep. Shomari Figures of Alabama agreed, saying, “Black farmers were economically disadvantaged by the past intentional discrimination by USDA,” and the agency should be implementing protections—not removing them.

Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, founder of the Kentucky Black Farmers Association, sees value in redefining the language but warns of harm from losing a designation that supported Black farmers. She noted that some USDA offices prioritize white farmers and that Black farmers often have to “figure it out” without help: “We just don’t have time to fight with definitions… and we still end up here.”

The USDA claims the move complies with Trump’s executive orders targeting DEI efforts. Meanwhile, white farmers, including Adam Faust of Wisconsin, continue to sue over what they describe as “reverse discrimination.” Sen. Raphael Warnock criticized the administration for focusing on “divisive publicity stunts” rather than aiding struggling farmers.

Wright remains skeptical of change but believes a new administration may offer a chance to create a better policy framework.

Link: The Guardian