The Department of Agriculture will no longer recognize race- or gender-based criteria when it comes to farm programs, dropping the "socially disadvantaged" designation despite the provision still being in federal law. USDA published a final rule Thursday in the Federal Register announcing the "Removal of Unconstitutional Preferences Based on Race and Sex in Response to Court Ruling." The rule is effective immediately. The rule will affect about 20% of USDA's total farm-loan volume and affect loans and programs for roughly 4.5% of ethnic producers and more than 1.2 million women farmers. The rule also will remove any special incentives for loans and conservation programs. The rule follows two presidential executive orders issued by President Donald Trump, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity." The Trump administration has been focused on removing any funding tied to "diversity, equity or inclusion," or DEI initiatives.
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