USDA Equity Commission Seeking Applications for Agriculture Subcommittee

WASHINGTON DC (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting nominations for the Subcommittee on Rural Community Economic Development for its Equity Commission.

In a press release issued today (Thursday) the USDA announced the step is an important development in implementing President Biden’s commitment to direct USDA to “address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector…”

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the Rural Community Economic Subcommittee (RCED) will be “crucial to addressing issues of persistent poverty in rural communities,” and they are “committed to giving each recommendation the Equity Commission makes full consideration in an effort to implement systemic, lasting change.”

The Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities.  The new subcommittee will report to the Equity Commission on issues of concern related to agriculture.

USDA created the Equity Commission through funding from the American Rescue Plan and has invested an additional $1 billion to support activities that will “advance equity and opportunity for historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners.”