The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the formation and membership of an Equity Commission, as well as its agriculture subcommittee, in a Feb. 10 news release.
Launched a year after President Joe Biden's executive order on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the federal government, USDA's 15-member Equity Commission and subcommittee were established to provide recommendations on ways to address equity issues and historical discrimination, according to the USDA news release.
“USDA acknowledges we have not done enough to provide all farmers and ranchers an equal chance of success and prosperity, and we are striving to change that,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in the release. “This commission will support our work to build a USDA that does not ignore or leave anyone behind anyone as we dismantle barriers that historically underserved communities have faced in accessing USDA programs and services.”
The commission held its first public meeting Feb. 28, the release stated.
As part of the selection process, the USDA sought input from several people including women, Indigenous community members, rural community members, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and more, according to the release.
