USDA ends race, sex criteria in farm program decisions Agency drops DEI focus, says bias has been addressed10 July 2025 10 July 2025 2 minute read 2 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North AmericaThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said on Thursday it would no longer consider a farmer's race or sex in many of its farm loan, commodity and conservation programs, ending a longstanding effort by the agency to address its history of discrimination, reported Reuters. The USDA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Black farmers and other under-represented groups in agriculture have long alleged discrimination in the agency's lending and farm programs. As recently as 2024, the USDA made payments to tens of thousands of farmers who experienced past bias. For decades, the USDA has prioritized enrollment or set aside funding pools for farmers of color and sometimes women, depending on the program, whom the agency has termed "socially disadvantaged" farmers.