The USDA is launching several new initiatives to give young farmers a boost, including one called CARES, dedicated to Create, Assist, Rebuild, Empower and Strengthen our communities and customer relationships for community-based partners who work to connect economically distressed and/or “underserved communities” with USDA programs and services. USDA CARES is comprised of a series of resources that directly address cooperators’ needs.
Where does the Equity Action Plan fit into this new effort to address historic discrimination?
Beyond raising awareness and seeking opportunities to expand access to extension programs, Rainey also seeks to increase collaboration among local organizations to further access “culturally appropriate” technical assistance in socially disadvantaged communities.
“In looking at community-based organizations, collaboration is crucial for the community. It takes relationship-building to get into underserved communities so that we can deliver information on today’s technology, and best practices” says Ron Rainey, U.S. Department of Agriculture Equity Commission Member. He also calls on minority-serving institutions as an avenue to reach more people in need. “If we can call on non-land-grant serving institutions that have a unique role in our neighborhoods to engage with all agriculture stakeholders, we can really leverage and build out those entities to better serve agricultural and rural America.”
The USDA Equity Action Plan highlights a set of actions USDA will take to advance equity; these particular actions are highlighted in the plan because of their potential high impact on black and brown farmers and ranchers, disadvantaged families and children, and rural communities. One of the top priorities of the United States Department of Agriculture is Equity, which can be defined as the consistent and systematic treatment of all people in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including members of communities that have been denied such treatment. Federal agencies have been directed to ensure equity in services, planning, and decision-making.
- 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.
To craft this Equity Action Plan, USDA first assessed and identified key challenges and opportunities through analysis of data and robust stakeholder engagement. Concurrently, staff and leaders across USDA convene to learn together and evaluate systems, practices, and policies that hinder progress. USDA Mission Areas and staff offices have identified challenges and opportunities of particular focus.
“We are acknowledging USDA’s storied history and charting a new path forward,” said Secretary Vilsack. “Today’s USDA is committed to rooting out systemic racism and advancing justice, equity, and opportunity for all. USDA’s Equity Action Plan serves as an initial roadmap for making sure our programs and services are accessible, especially to historically underserved communities and to those who need them most.”
Here is a summary of the USDA Equity Action Plan:
- Partner with trusted technical assistance providers
- Reduce barriers to USDA programs and improve support to underserved farmers, ranchers, landowners, and farmworkers
- Expand equitable access to USDA nutrition assistance programs
- Increase USDA infrastructure investments that benefit underserved communities
- Advance equity in federal procurement
- Uphold Federal trust and treaty Responsibilities to Indian Tribes
- Institutionalize an unwavering commitment to and actions toward ensuring civil rights
As USDA makes progress on the goals and actions articulated above, the Department will simultaneously partner with the Equity Commission on their future recommendations. In line with the best practices in the private and nonprofit sectors, USDA is also focused on creating an organization that systematically places diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) (PDF, 452 KB) at the center of how we support USDA’s workforce and performance. Foundational to these efforts is USDA’s commitment to upholding and advancing civil rights and tribal sovereignty. These priorities are reflected in USDA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan (PDF, 9.6 MB).