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Equity at USDA

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National flag of the USA, in front of US Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C.

 

USDA can only succeed in its mission to help America thrive—and can only live up to President Lincoln's description of it as the "People's Department"—if it ensures that the Americans who need its services most receive them. Equity is not an add-on or extra; it is central to the Department’s mission (PDF, 9.6 MB):

"To serve all Americans by providing effective, innovative, science-based public policy leadership in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource protection and management, rural development, and related issues with a commitment to deliverable equitable and climate-smart opportunities that inspire and help America thrive."

 

  

USDA Releases Language Access Plan (November 15, 2023)

Two Year Anniversary of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at USDA (Nov. 15, 2023)

USDA Invests More Than $1.2 Billion in Cooperatives for Opportunity and Equity (Nov. 9, 2023)

USDA Announces Resources to Empower Native American Young People (Nov. 6, 2023)

USDA invests in rural communities with over $5 billion during Biden’s Investing in Rural America Event Series (Nov. 1, 2023)

USDA’s Equity Commission concludes sixth public meeting to improve equity and eliminate barriers to programs and services (Oct. 27, 2023)

Applications now open for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act)

Progress on funds for financially distressed borrowers (Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act). Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.15 billion in assistance to more than 20,000 distressed borrowers as a part of an ongoing effort to keep borrowers farming, remove obstacles that currently prevent many borrowers from returning to their land, and improve the way that USDA approaches borrowing and loan servicing in the long-term.

USDA Agencies and Offices post 2023 Equity Action Plans

More USDA Equity NewsUSDA Equity Accomplishments and Resources

 

EQUITY IS: the consistent and systematic treatment of all individuals in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including individuals who belong to communities that often have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities.

IT MEANS RECOGNIZING: people’s frustrations run deep and are rooted in their own daily battles—to make ends meet, to maintain their land, to put food on their tables, and to give their children a shot at economic opportunity. Gaps in access to USDA programs challenge the very core of who we are as a Department. That’s why USDA is making equity a priority.

FROM CONCEPT TO ACTION: USDA has mobilized, department-wide, to remove barriers to access to our programs and services for all Americans, including ensuring USDA resources reach underserved communities and those with the most need. This page shows how.

 
 

 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack meeting with Native American Youth at the Department of Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spent time with the 30 Students from Eastern and Western Tribes, Southeast Alaska, and Tuba City, Arizona planting vegetable seeds that are indigenous to North America.
 

USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, left, during a visit to Siesta Shores and Falcon Lake

Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, left, announced that USDA is investing $102 million to expand access to housing and water infrastructure for socially disadvantaged rural people who live and work in 45 states and American Samoa, during a visit to Siesta Shores and Falcon Lake in Zapata Co., TX.
 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux is presented with Sweet Grass by Kipp Family during honoring ceremony before meeting with members of the Blackfeet Extension Stockgrowers/PHLI/Ag Producers to listen to their concerns and discuss solution they are working on to help during a meeting

USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux is presented with Sweet Grass by Kipp Family during honoring ceremony before meeting with members of the Blackfeet Extension Stockgrowers/PHLI/Ag Producers to listen to their concerns and discuss solution they are working on to help during a meeting.
 

U.S. Acting Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea welcomes students from the National 4-H conference to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Acting Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea welcomes students from the National 4-H conference to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
 

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics Sanah Baig, U.S. Acting Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea and U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director Dr. Dionne Toombs welcome students from the National 4-H conference to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics Sanah Baig, Acting Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea and U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture Director Dr. Dionne Toombs welcome students from the National 4-H conference to the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.
 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine and Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean visited Watkins ES in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Rachel Levine and Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean visited Watkins ES in Washington, D.C. in recognition of National Nutrition Month.
 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Administrator Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young (center) visits with scientists and engineers participating in the “Meet the Scientists and Engineers Program,” during the 4th USA Science & Engineering Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington D.C,

USDA Agricultural Research Service Administrator Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young (center) visits with scientists and engineers participating in the “Meet the Scientists and Engineers Program,” during the 4th USA Science and Engineering Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, in Washington D.C. 
 

Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt greets a vendor at the USDA Farmer's Market.

Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt greets a vendor at the USDA Farmer's Market.
 

United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics Sanah Baig meets with Max Finberg, Growing Hope Globally as USDA resumes hosting its annual Ramadan Iftar Celebration on Thursday, April 13, 2023 in Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics Sanah Baig meets with Max Finberg, Growing Hope Globally as USDA resumes hosting its annual Ramadan Iftar Celebration. 
 

 

Strategy for Impact

In response to Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government, and Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities through the Federal Government, USDA has adopted department-wide strategies to advance equity:

  1. Reduce barriers to USDA programs.
  2. Partner with trusted technical assistance providers.
  3. Direct USDA programs to those who need them the most.
  4. Expand equitable access to USDA nutrition assistance programs.
  5. Advance equity in federal procurement.
  6. Uphold general federal trust and treaty responsibilities to Indian Tribes.
  7. Commit unwaveringly to civil rights.
  8. Operate with transparency and accountability.

Equity Accomplishments

For more on USDA’s equity strategy and progress since 2021, visit the Equity Accomplishments page and the Equity Action Plans page.

 

 

Dr. Frank Lake
Through learned lenses
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Buildings
Finding Common Ground: A Community Economic Development Project
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Kimberly High at Joppy Momma’s Farm
USDA People’s Garden Groundbreaking Ceremony at Joppy Momma’s Farm
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A girl on a horse
NIFA’s FRTEP Supporting Tribal Youth
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Cartersville Firefighter helmet
Broadband Provides Vital Lifeline for Protecting Lives and Property in Cartersville
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Two people in front of wine bottles
Uncorking New Business Growth with Broadband
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A boy
NIFA Communications Training with Hopi Community
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Makesi Harford
USDA Reasonable Accommodations Help Disabled Veteran Succeed with Federal Career
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People watching a presentation
Bridging the Gap in SNAP E&T
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Three star stand
USDA, Cooperative Extension and APLU Award 2023 Top Honors in Extension Excellence and Diversity
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A scientist working
Associate Professor Making a Better Way for Students Through E. Kika de la Garza Fellowship
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Three people smiling holding a Welcome to the NutHouse sign
International Day of Rural Women Spotlight: Indiana Soccer Moms Score Big as Global Entrepreneurs with USDA Assist
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Linda Leaks
Revitalized Communities Through Cooperatives: Linda Leaks Shows Interagency Working Group How It’s Done
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People outside under a tent
2501 Grants Support Traditional Farming and Culture in Hawaii
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A woman gesturing in a store
Replacing a Relic to Keep a Community Market Growing Strong
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Two women smiling
Hope & Main Nourishes Neighbors in Warren, RI
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Scientists working
Linking Food Access, Fiber Intake, Gut Microbiota & Health Outcomes Among New Hampshire’s Hispanic Residents
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Forest Supervisor, Kurt Davis of the Coronado National Forest and Chairman Terry Rambler of the San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona sign cross-boundary forest restoration agreement
Tribal Action Plan in Action
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Secretary Vilsack speaking at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
USDA Celebrates First Anniversary of the Historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
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Alok Arun
In His Own Words: E. Kika De La Garza Science Fellow Alok Arun
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David Josué Carrasquillo-Medrano
Planning for Equity: A Puerto Rican Community Planner's Journey to USDA's Equity Commission
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A woman shopping
Reflecting on and Improving on Tribal Programs at FNS
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View of Kwethluk school from the air
Critical Need to Increase Food Security in Rural Alaska
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A man standing beside Vision Statement and Mission Statement text
Health Care Grant Provides Pandemic Lifeline to Rural Montana Senior Care Facility
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Two masked men, a woman and a man holding a root
1890s Institutions Charging Forth on Specialty Crop Projects through USDA Support
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People standing together in the USDA Whitten building
USDA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Hispanic-Serving Institutions
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William French
Streamlining Farm Operations in Cumberland
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Arkansas River Rice’s state-of-the-art rice mill
Building Opportunities for Minority Farmers through McGovern-Dole Program
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Christopher Epps
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Has a Lifetime Impact
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A person using a tractor
Urban Agriculture Forum provides opportunity for information, networking
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People standing together in front of a HungerActionMonth hashtag with Capital Area Food Bank background
Feds Feed Families During Hunger Action Month
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Ron Rainey portrait
Ron Rainey: Agriculture Economist Advancing Technical Assistance and Extension Program Opportunities to Improve Financial Outcomes for Farmers
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Two people working in a greenhouse
Partner Spotlight: Africulture: Connecting Underserved Farmers to Conservation and Market Opportunities
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Hands holding soil with a plant
Listen Better, Serve Better
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People in a greenhouse
USDA Helps Alaskan Communities Meet Sustainable Food System Goals
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A woman smiling behind fruits and vegetables on a stand
Modernizing SNAP Transactions with Local Farmers
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Peaches at the farmer's market
GusNIP Efforts Impacting Rural Communities – and Economies
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A family in the garden
Land-grant Universities Improve Local Food Security
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A group of 14 YouthMappers from Tanzania pose in front of jeeps before going out into the field for research
From Sky to Soil: Young Agricultural Leaders Nourish FAS Satellite Data with Grassroots Truth
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Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean smiles with another woman as a child plants flowers in a green pot as part of a youth gardening activity at the Spirit Lake Sioux FDPIR building
FNCS Supports Food Sovereignty of Tribal Nations
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A woman helping a child chop pepper
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Finding New Ways to Reach Audience
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A family in the garden
Land-grant Universities Improve Local Food Security
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Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small
USDA Mission Areas, Agencies, and Offices’ Equity Action Plans Are Making Progress
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A woman speaking into a microphone
Announcing NRCS New York Local Working Group Meetings
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A truck in downtown Dallas, Texas
USDA establishing new Urban Service Center in Dallas and Urban County Committee in Houston
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NRCS PIA and partner organizations speaking to local O'ahu farmers
NRCS Pacific Islands Area Connects with O’ahu Farmers
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A group of Black students and their instructors stand outdoors
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program Makes Collegiate and Agricultural Careers a Reality
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People in a group looking at a wall of organizations
Putting the CO in Co-located Services
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Farmer
USDA NRCS Awards Zenger Farm Equity Agreement
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Farmer
2023 "Growing Together" Black Farmer Conference to be Held April 21
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Farmers Market
105-Year-Old Fondy Farmers Market Increases Access to Healthy, Local Food and Economic Opportunity in Greater Milwaukee Area
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Farmers market
Increasing Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Youth Engagement, Farmer Support, and Climate Adaptation on the Tohono O’odham Nation
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OPPE internship students and administrators in front of USDA
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Members of the Equity Commission

USDA's Equity Commission is an independent body with 41 Commission and Subcommittee members charged with evaluating USDA programs and services and developing recommendations on how we can reduce barriers. Using this information, USDA will make needed changes so that the Department's programs, services, and decisions reflect the values of equity and inclusion. This will ensure everyone has a fair shot at resources, begin closing the racial wealth gap, and address longstanding inequities in agriculture.

The work of the Equity Commission is empowering USDA to objectively confront the hard reality of past and help build back better by serving our customers fairly and equitably.

Learn more

 

Leading with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access Front and Center: USDA’s commitment to diversity and equity includes both committed leadership and strong policy. USDA has issued a robust diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) strategic plan and has hired a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) and other staff to implement it. The CDIO leads USDAʼs work to build an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities USDA serves, bringing the best talent to USDA, retaining and investing in our workforce, and creating a culture where everyone feels welcomed.

At the core of USDAʼs Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan are six focus areas for the next five years:

  • Build a culture that drives trust, belonging, transparency, accountability, and employee empathy.
  • Achieve a workforce representative of Americans that inspires development of innovative ideas and best practices.
  • Foster a workplace environment that is physically, mentally, and emotionally safe.
  • Establish leadership and governance structures to support long-term and sustainable DEIA efforts.
  • Promote empowerment, responsibility, and accountability for DEIA through developing the workforce.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible USDA through accountability, data collection, analysis, and effective policymaking.

USDA DEIA Strategic Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB)

USDA Strategic Plan Report Cover

 

USDA Equity Accomplishments and Resources
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