The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) held its Final Equity Convening in Washington, D.C., to mark the achievements of the USDA Equity Commission and highlight progress made under the Biden-Harris Administration. The event, held at USDA Headquarters, was the culmination of a series of equity summits and regional convenings aimed at emphasizing equity and inclusion within USDA programs.
The USDA Equity Commission was launched in February 2022 as an independent body with 41 members to assess barriers within USDA’s operations. In February 2024, the commission released a report with 66 recommendations for advancing equity in USDA's programs and services.
“Today served as an important milestone marking the significant, consequential progress USDA has made since Day One of the Biden-Harris Administration to advance equity, remove barriers to access across every facet of its operations, and ensure USDA lives up to its name as the People’s Department,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Since receiving the Equity Commission’s final report, USDA has been hard at work implementing its recommendations and building a fairer, more equitable Department and future for all who participate in agriculture. We remain fully committed to advancing this effort.”
Deputy Secretary Torres Small added, "The Biden-Harris Administration is making every effort to design USDA programs and services through a lens of equity to ensure accessibility for all, especially historically underserved communities and to those who need them most. Equity is not an add-on or an extra for the Department but rather a central facet to our mission of serving all Americans.”
USDA leaders discussed progress in areas such as farm loans, nutrition assistance, and technical support for underserved communities. Key investments from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act were highlighted for their positive impact on rural communities.
A networking fair with over 300 attendees facilitated partnerships among stakeholders in agriculture. The event underscored key initiatives like:
- The American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program: This initiative supports historically underserved farmers through technical assistance projects.
- Farm Loan Process Transformation: Simplified processes now allow online applications and aim to help farmers manage finances better.
- Priority Points Framework: This Rural Development initiative awards points to projects aiding socially vulnerable communities.
- Rural Energy for America Program: A $2.2 billion investment aims at renewable energy improvements for rural agricultural producers.
The USDA Equity Commission was established by the American Rescue Plan Act and reauthorized by the Inflation Reduction Act. Its work aligns with President Biden’s Executive Order 13985 on advancing racial equity across federal agencies.
In February 2024, USDA kicked off its National Equity Summit followed by eight regional convenings through September. These events aimed at connecting with communities nationwide to promote revamped programs focused on inclusivity.
For more details about USDA’s equity efforts, visit www.usda.gov/equity.
USDA impacts daily life across America through initiatives focusing on local food production, market fairness, food safety, infrastructure investments, clean energy in rural areas, and removing systemic barriers within its workforce. More information can be found at www.usda.gov.
