The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made its Equity Action Plan (PDF, 500 KB) publicly available. The plan outlines actions USDA will take to advance programmatic equity to improve access to programs and services for underserved stakeholders and communities.
All too often in the past, USDA programs and services were designed to benefit those with land, experience, money, and education while leaving behind those without means, resources or privilege of one kind or another. Over the course of decades, congressional reports, internal data, civil rights investigations, court actions, and stakeholder testimony have documented this long history of inequity and discrimination.
“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.”
To craft this Equity Action Plan, USDA first assessed and identified key challenges and opportunities through analysis of data and robust stakeholder engagement. 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 for underserved farmers and ranchers, families and children, and rural communities. Below is a summary:
- 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 towards ensuring civil rights
For more information, visit usda.gov/equity.