A NEW PATH FORWARD: A PROGRESS REPORT ON

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EQUITY COMMISSION'S

RECOMMENDATIONS UPDATE 2024

WWW.USDA.GOV/EQUITY-COMMISSION
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Table of Contents 

Message from the Secretary...........................................................................................................3

Executive Summary........................................................................................................................5

USDA’s Commitment to Civil Rights and Equity...............................................................................7

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for USDA Agencies, Employees, and Stakeholders.................10 

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Farmers and Ranchers....................................................18

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Farmworkers and Their Families .....................................30 

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Families Needing Food Assistance ..................................36

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Rural Communities.........................................................42

Next Steps for USDA Equity ..........................................................................................................50
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Message from the Secretary

On February 28, 2022, nearly two years ago, the Equity 

Commission held its first inaugural meeting, beginning a process 

of setting clear and intentional goals to design and transform a 

better system for all producers and for all Americans. In that 

time, members of the Equity Commission and its two 

Subcommittees on Agriculture and Rural Community Economic 

Development dedicated hundreds of hours of their time and 

expertise. Members heard from their communities and those 

often left behind throughout the country. They brought forth 

these voices and the issues still being felt as a result of a system 

that has not been equitable for generations. They convened six 

public meetings across the country to put pen to paper on a 

clear vision that charts the future of the Department. This 

brings us to where we are today.

To the Equity Commission and its Subcommittees, this 

Department thanks you and so do the people of America. The Equity Commission, through its 

resulting set of recommendations, made forward-looking progress, and identified ways to 

rectify the system and prevent wrongdoings in the future. Where there are issues, this report 

gives us a path forward to find solutions and to implement them. 

Simultaneously throughout this Administration, USDA has been working day in and day out to 

advance justice, equity, and opportunities for the farmers, ranchers, landowners, communities, 

families, and business owners we serve, and for all Americans. We remain committed to 

acknowledging USDA’s historical challenges in doing so, and to writing a new story for the 

future. 

As part of this work, we conducted internal reviews to analyze how we are realizing equity at 

the mission area level. As a result, each USDA mission area and the Department as a whole 

produced individual Equity Action Plans to ensure we are taking the appropriate steps to 

achieve equity, with each mission area and staff office’s specific roles and stakeholders in mind. 

Last week, USDA released its 2023 updated Equity Action Plan. We also hired our first-ever 

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer to lead USDA in our ongoing efforts to improve diversity, 

equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across the Department and to oversee the 

implementation of USDA’s first-ever DEIA Strategic Plan.

Establishing the Equity Commission in February 2022 was an important step USDA took towards

implementing the Executive Order President Biden issued on his first day in office. Last 

February, on the one-year anniversary of its launch, the Commission and its Subcommittee on 

Agriculture presented me with an Interim Report that included 32 recommendations. We took 

those recommendations very seriously and began to implement those that fall within USDA’s

authority, and we are working through those that require legislative or budgetary action. 

Secretary Tom Vilsack
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With the release of the Equity Commission’s final report, which includes a total of 66 final

recommendations including additions from the Rural Community Economic Development 

Subcommittee, USDA will continue to exhaust every tool available to us to implement these

recommendations so we can continue to advance equity for all.

I believe we are at a pivotal moment, where we must make an active choice to create, not 

diminish, opportunity. To that end, with a consistent focus on equity, USDA is ushering in a new 

era at the Department, one that values farms of every shape and every size and creates a better 

and stronger America, especially for those that have been too long and too often left behind. 

This requires tangible and meaningful actions and a steadfast approach: 

• We are advancing equity. We are taking actionable steps to make USDA’s programs and

resources accessible for everyone.

• We are listening. We are committed to establishing an open line with you to foster

dialogue and collaboration.

• We are being transparent. We are sharing our progress—and our challenges—along the

way.

• We are being held accountable. We want you to hold USDA accountable to continued

progress now and into the future.

• We are setting the standard. We are working to ensure equity is normalized and

ingrained as part of the daily operations of the Department.

We recognize that work of this significance requires ongoing commitment, and while there 

is more work to do, we believe we have made a strong start towards this effort. On behalf 

of the Department, and all those we serve, I thank the Equity Commission and our USDA

team as we strive to live up to the moniker of the “People’s Department” and improve the 

lives of Americans for generations to come. 

THOMAS J. VILSACK

Secretary
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Executive Summary

In February 2022, in support of President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, with funding 

authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and amended by the Inflation Reduction Act, 

USDA launched the Equity Commission to provide USDA with an analysis of how its 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 and recommendations for action. 

The Commission was asked to be forward-looking and make recommendations for lasting

change to ensure a more equitable future. Over the course of the two years, USDA provided

numerous resources, reports, and briefings to the Commission as they worked to identify

opportunities for improvement. USDA leadership asked the Commission to “go bold” and

include recommendations that may require legislative, policy, regulatory and/or budgetary

changes.

In February 2023, the Equity Commission released its Interim Report with 32 recommendations 

related to how USDA works with farmers and ranchers, its need for Department-wide change, 

the commitment to farmworkers and their families, and the re-evaluation of other programs

such as those focused on research, extension and nutrition security. 

At that time, USDA issued a response that mirrored the structural organization of the report to 

highlight a subset of actions already underway within the Department. Of the 32 interim

recommendations made, the Department is taking active steps to fully implement 60% of them.

USDA is taking action on the other 40%, which have significant legislative or budgetary barriers,

or will require partnerships federal agencies to fully implement them. USDA is currently

analyzing the additional 34 recommendations that were voted in the Commission’s public

meeting in October 2023. The Department is weaving these recommendations in its everyday 

operations and have included more than 50% of the recommendations in its 2023 Equity 

Action Plans. 

This document expands on that initial response and provides updates that have taken place

since – and in some cases as a result of – the Interim Recommendations. Additionally, this

document includes a subset of actions that are underway that relate to the new 

recommendations passed by the Equity Commission in October 2023. 

As such, this document mirrors the Final Report and is organized as follows:

1. How USDA Advances Department-Wide Equity

2. How USDA Works with Farmers and Ranchers Day-to-Day

3. How USDA Supports Farmworkers and their Families

4. How USDA Strengthens Research and Extension Programs

5. How USDA Ensures Equitable Nutrition Assistance to those in Need

6. How USDA Recognizes Immigrants and their Families

7. How USDA Can Enhance Rural Development Operations
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8. How USDA Supports Rural Communities

9. How USDA Supports Rural Economies 

The efforts identified in this document do not reflect the totality of the work USDA is doing to 

support equitable service delivery. The USDA equity website provides a more comprehensive 

look at Departmental activities since January 2021 that are aligned with advancing equity. 
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USDA’s Commitment to Civil Rights and Equity

USDA can only succeed in its mission to help America thrive—and can only live up to President 

Lincoln’s description of it as the “People’s Department”— if it ensures the Americans who most 

need its services adequately receive them. Equity is not an add-on to what we do. It is central 

to the Department’s mission, “To serve all Americans by providing effective, innovative, 

science-based public policy leadership in agriculture, food and nutrition, natural resource 

protection and management, rural development, and related issues with a commitment to 

delivering equitable and climate-smart opportunities that inspire and help America thrive.” 

Equity means the consistent and systematic fair, just, 

and impartial treatment of all individuals, including 

individuals who belong to underserved communities 

that have been denied such treatment. 

To accomplish this mission, we must, together, build and maintain public trust and confidence 

among USDA stakeholders. We are working to: 

• Identify and root out systemic discrimination in USDA programs;

• Ensure equitable access to USDA programs and services for all communities, including by 

removing barriers to access and working to repair past mistakes that have resulted in 

economic, social, and racial disparities; and

• Promote nutrition security, a healthy environment, and the opportunity for a good life

for every person, in every community in America.

Our consistent efforts over the last three years have yielded tremendous progress in this 

important and ongoing journey. 

At USDA, we recognize that achieving equity means building trusting relationships with the 

people we serve. First and foremost, this requires acknowledging the wrongs of the past and 

committing to being responsive to the needs of all our stakeholders and partners. We also

recognize that to best serve all our customers, we must strengthen the Department’s internal 

capacity to deliver on our mission efficiently and effectively. Additionally, we recognize that

our commitment to achieving equitable outcomes at USDA requires that the Department be: 

(1) focused on learning and improvement, (2) fair, transparent, and accountable to 

stakeholders and partners, (3) diverse and inclusive in our workforce; and (4) outcome-oriented 

and committed to learning from others. This is the path that we have followed since January 

2021 and continue to follow into the near future. 
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The Department’s racial justice and equity work has three pillars: the Equity Commission,

Program Equity, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA). The Equity

Commission’s work has been crucial in providing recommendations to the Secretary on policies, 

programs, and actions needed to address equity and racial justice issues. The Program Equity 

pillar describes USDA’s external-facing equity initiatives, which is a commitment to ensure 

USDA programs and services are accessible to all customers and are reaching customers who 

have historically benefitted less from USDA programs and services. The DEIA pillar describes 

USDA’s internal strategy to hire, support, and retain a diverse and talented workforce that is 

representative of the American public we serve. All three pillars rest on the obligation to uphold 

civil rights as well as the Department’s trust and treaty responsibilities with Tribal Nations and 

Indian country.

USDA Pillars of Equity

USDA has committed to seven Department equity strategies in the Department Equity Action 

Plan1: 

1. Ensure agricultural resources and assistance are broadly accessible, while creating new, 

more, and better market opportunities so USDA policies and programs advance 

agriculture for all who want to participate, not just a few. 

2. Promote rural prosperity and economic security by connecting business owners to new 

markets, empowering people with modern infrastructure, and supporting communitydriven opportunities and solutions to build brighter futures in rural America. 

3. Promote nutrition security and health equity through USDA nutrition assistance 

programs to ensure all Americans have access to the nutrition they need. 

1 As appropriate, these seven strategies are referenced throughout the document. 
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4. Ensure equitable access to forest resources, funding opportunities, and outdoor 

experiences; and target wildfire prevention and conservation investments where they 

are most needed. 

5. Advance equity in federal procurement by providing underserved and disadvantaged 

businesses tools and resources to increase access to funding opportunities, and by 

helping promote safe and secure provision of services and supplies. 

6. Empower Tribal sovereignty and uphold treaty responsibilities to Indian Tribes, 

removing barriers to access USDA programs and incorporating indigenous values and 

perspectives in program design and delivery. 

7. Commit unwaveringly to civil rights by improving tools, skills, capacity, and processes to 

more effectively and efficiently, enforce them. 

USDA is operationalizing our equity strategies through the following four approaches:

1. Reducing administrative, economic, historical, and other barriers to program access, and 

ensuring our programs include processes to assess, understand, and remove or mitigate 

such barriers.

2. Partnering with trusted technical assistance providers to ensure that underserved 

producers and communities have the support they need to access USDA programs.

3. Continuing USDA’s effort to help those in need of assistance with the resources 

available and advocate for sufficient resources that people in need are not denied. 

4. Operating transparently and accountably, providing the information on Department 

programs that Congress, stakeholders, and the general public need to hold us to 

account on our equity agenda, and working systematically to collect and take account of 

public feedback, including input from underserved communities.

In partnership with the important work of the Equity Commission, USDA has made progress on 

our equity commitment through concerted internal efforts. A major part of this effort included 

conducting internal reviews of 18 agencies within USDA, involving more than 60 of our 

programs and over 160 equity actions, to uncover and address gaps between where we are and 

where we aim to be. 

The result was the creation of the Department’s Equity Action Plan, updated in February 2024, 

along with 15 Equity Action Plans, covering each mission area and its agencies, as well as the 

Department’s staff offices. The plans go above and beyond the requirements of the President’s 

Executive Order, laying out tangible steps that propel us on our journey towards true equity. 

Each of the USDA Equity Action Plans are available at Equity Action Plans | USDA. 
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USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for USDA Agencies, Employees, and 

Stakeholders

Equity is at the core of what USDA does; institutionalizing equity is a top priority of the BidenHarris Administration. There are many steps necessary to integrate equity into the 

Department’s culture, policies, and processes. Changes in structure, leadership responsibilities, 

and accountability measures are all underway, and the Commission’s recommendations are a 

key part of that process.

Following the release of the Equity Commission’s Interim Report in 2023, USDA hired its first

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), reporting directly to Secretary Vilsack. The Office 

of the CDIO was established and funded as a permanent program office in USDA, leading 

USDA’s internal work to institutionalize best practices for a diverse, equitable, accessible, and

inclusive organization. It prioritizes developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of the

communities USDA serves, bringing the best talent to USDA, investing in that workforce, and

creating a culture where everyone feels welcome. A well-trained, robust and diverse field staff 

is also essential to providing the service producers deserve.

A diverse and inclusive organization requires instituting diversity at the leadership level, and

just as importantly, creating a pipeline of professionals who can grow into leadership roles in

the future. In FY24, of all Department permanent hires, 27% were from minority backgrounds

and 18% were early career hires. Early career hires are employees who are younger than age 26

(Gen Z) with less than three years of Federal service experience, who were hired into a position 

below the general schedule 9 grade level and have promotion potential (data as of January 

2024). 

Through the initial DEIA efforts and those planned for 2024, USDA is strengthening its ability to 

recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain our nation’s talent, with development and 

implementation of tools and resources aimed at promoting inclusive hiring. 

Given that USDA programs touch every American, the Department supports and agrees with 

the Equity Commission’s recommendation on Advancing Environmental Justice and believes we 

are well-positioned to provide protection from environmental harms through equitable 

investment by USDA programs and services, and the development of inclusive, sustainable 

economies. President Biden’s Executive Order 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to 

Environmental Justice for All, defines environmental justice as “the just treatment and 

meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal 

affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making and other Federal activities that affect 

human health and the environment.” At USDA, we strive to create opportunities to improve 

human health and the environment in all communities that may be affected by our work while 

striving to ensure that environmental burdens do not fall disproportionately on underserved 

communities. 

In order to continually make progress in advancing Environmental Justice, USDA is actively 

developing an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan. This plan focuses on ensuring equitable 

access to the Department’s programs and services; avoiding disproportionate and adverse
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impacts to communities with environmental concerns; increasing workforce development,

training, and market opportunities; promoting meaningful engagement and outreach; and 

increasing internal capacity within USDA to support work related to environmental justice.

USDA also publishes an annual Environmental Justice Scorecard outlining progress in advancing

environmental justice.

USDA has 70 programs covered under the Justice40 Initiative. This initiative, launched through

Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, establishes a

government-wide goal of directing 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments

from covered programs to flow to disadvantaged communities. The U.S. Forest Service, for 

example, has 19 covered programs spanning legacy pollution mitigation, environmental 

remediation, wildfire risk reduction, urban and community forestry, and much more.

To promote USDA’s progress in enhancing how benefits from Justice40 programs flow to

disadvantaged communities, in FY22 and FY23, USDA required agencies to develop

Implementation Plans for each covered program. These plans outline the modifications

agencies are implementing to enhance how program benefits flow to disadvantaged 

communities. To promote accountability, agencies’ progress is being tracked iteratively using an

internal tracking system. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Forest Service, 

for example, have modified the evaluation process of the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration 

Partnership Program to include criteria weighing the benefits of the proposed project to 

underserved communities. Vital documents for multiple NRCS covered programs have also 

been translated into several languages, including Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Hmong, and 

made available to States to better serve NRCS customers. 

Department-wide equity strategy: Empower tribal sovereignty and uphold 

treaty responsibilities to Indian Tribes, removing barriers to access USDA 

programs and incorporating indigenous values and perspectives in program 

design and delivery.

USDA has been strengthening Tribal Consultations and Nation-to-Nation relationships in a 

variety of ways. USDA has restored and empowered the Office of Tribal Relations to a freestanding office within the Office of the Secretary that can maintain the Nation-to-Nation 

relationship as is required both by law and by treaty. The Office of Tribal Relations has 

collaborated with USDA agencies on work that fits broadly into three impact areas:

• Removing the unique barriers to Indigenous and Tribal access to USDA programs and

services.

• Promoting Tribal self-determination throughout USDA.

• Adapting USDA’s programs to include Tribal/Indigenous values and perspectives.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack delivers remarks alongside Chef Sean Sherman of the North American Traditional 

Indigenous Food Systems, at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Food is Medicine Summit.

In 2023, the Office of Tribal Relations: 

• Established the Inaugural Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). The USDA Tribal Advisory

Committee is a permanent committee created by the 2018 Farm Bill to ensure Tribal

perspectives are well represented at USDA and to ensure the Department’s policies and

decisions are informed by the unique Nation-to-Nation relationship. The TAC includes an 

11-member board, with eight members appointed by the Chair and Ranking member of 

Senate Indian Affairs and House and Senate Agricultural Committees, and three 

appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. USDA is honored to coordinate with these 

House and Senate Committee leaders to seat and announce the inaugural USDA Tribal 

Advisory Committee.

• Moved the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Program to the Office of Tribal

Relations. To meet the requests and recommendations of Tribal leaders and Tribal

colleges and universities presidents’ USDA moved the Tribal College Program to the

Office of Tribal Relations on January 29, 2023. This realignment ensures that USDA staff

with extensive Tribal experience are available to respond to the immediate and longterm needs of Tribal Colleges and Universities.

o Hiring new Tribal/TCU Liaisons. Additional Tribal College and University Program

Tribal Liaisons will serve Indian Country working with Tribal Colleges and

Universities and Tribes in the regions they will serve. The Office of Tribal

Relations is in the middle of the hiring process for upwards of six positions.

• USDA Renewed Memorandum of Agreement with Tribal Colleges. In February 2023 the 

Secretary renewed USDA’s commitment to TCU through a memorandum of agreement 

with 1994 Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities with land-grant status, to ensure
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they have equitable access to the Department’s employment, programs, 

services, and resources. 

• USDA Re-Established the Tribal College Faculty Fellowship (Terra Preta do Indio). The

Tribal College Faculty Fellowship program seeks to strengthen tribal college and

university research capacity and introduce faculty and staff to USDA programs and

services. Five fellows participated in the summer of 2023.

• USDA Expanded Existing Tribal College 1994 Student Scholars Program. All 1994 Tribal

Land-Grants may now participate in the scholarship. Additionally, the scholarship may

now follow a student from a two-year degree school to a four year-degree granting

institution. The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program provides full tuition, fees, books, a

housing stipend, and paid workforce training to any interested and eligible student

pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic

disciplines at a TCU. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors, full-time

students currently enrolled at a 1994 Land-grant Tribal college or university, or recent

TCU associate degree graduates.

• USDA Established a New Tribal Internship for Students Interested in Indian Country

Agriculture and Food. USDA and the Partnership for Public Service have collaborated to

create the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Department of

Agriculture: Tribal Agriculture and Food. Undergraduate and graduate students will be

recruited to work on Indian Country agriculture and food portfolios.

• USDA Increases Research Cooperative Agreements with TCUs.

o ARS Indigenous Traditional Knowledge & Foods Seed Propagation Research

Collaborations. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) created collaborations

with 1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities (1994 TCU) to promote Indigenous

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) and Food Systems. Cooperative

agreements between ARS and United Tribes Technical University and ARS and

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College have been implemented to restore traditional

cultivars and develop propagation techniques for culturally important native

plant species. This information provides a building block to replicate ITEK

systems.

o Native Grasses and Forbs Research – Institute of American Indian Arts. USDA’s

Office of Tribal Relations has entered into two Cooperative Agreements with the

Tribal Alliance for Pollinators (TAP) and the Institute of American Indian Arts to

expand native grass and forbs seeds for pollinators, grasslands, and working

lands restoration. The TAP agreement includes work to improve access to

USDA’s resources and programming for our tribal partners and producers

through educating consumers, agency staff, and federal policy decision makers

about native grasses and forbs that complement native grassland conservation

and livestock consumption. TAP will partner with NRCS to update the NRCS state
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foraging seed lists to incorporate more native grasses and forbs and amend 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program reimbursement for seeding as 

appropriate. 

• Established a Tribal Public Health Resource Center. USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations

received an appropriation to develop a Tribal Public Health Resource Center at a landgrant university with existing Indigenous public health expertise to expand current

partnerships and collaborative efforts with Indigenous groups, including Tribal colleges

to improve the delivery of culturally appropriate public health services and functions in

American Indian communities focusing on Indigenous food sovereignty. The Office of

Tribal Relations is working with North Dakota State University to develop a center

focused on the intersection of Tribal food sovereignty and public health. The first

project will be a summer program for students to engage with leaders and experts in

the food sovereignty field, providing them with the tools to improve public health in

their communities.

USDA is actively working to better serve our customers 

through tools like the AskUSDA Call Center, run by the 

Office of Customer Experience (OCX), a service that

answers calls on any manner of USDA topics in more 

than 10 languages. The Commission’s 

recommendations on ways to improve customer

experience coincided with the OCX’s recently 

proposed Departmental Regulation that establishes an

inaugural Department-wide Voice of the Customer 

policy. This policy is designed to listen from and better 

serve USDA customers and take into account the 

needs of underserved communities as they 

interact with the USDA. In 2023, after over 130 hours 

of research, that included stakeholder interviews, data 

and recommendation analysis, and feedback sessions at cooperator-hosted events, OCX 

proudly launched an initiative dedicated to Create, Assist, Rebuild, Empower and Strengthen 

(CARES) known as USDA CARES. This initiative aims to better connect underserved producers 

and our partner organizations who serve them, sometimes known as cooperators, with relevant 

programs and services by increasing access to helpful resources.

Additionally, OCX developed and submitted their annual Department-wide Customer 

Experience (CX) Action Plans in conjunction with USDA’s High Impact Service Providers (HISPs)

annual CX Action Plans. USDA has six HISP, the highest number of HISPs government wide, due 

to the scale and critical nature of our public-facing services. These plans identify priorities for 

improving designated services, build USDA’s CX management capacity, and continuing to 

improve service delivery through digital modernization efforts, with an enhanced focus on 

Language Access in 

FPAC

The Farm Production and 

Conservation (FPAC) Mission 

Area has translated more than 

730 products spanning 30 

languages and created 200 new 

Spanish-language webpages on 

farmers.gov.
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equity. The USDA Staff Office Equity Action Plan outlines additional actions that OCX is working 

towards to ensure that we put our customers first.

Department-wide equity strategy: Commit unwaveringly to civil rights by 

improving tools, skills, capacity, and processes to more effectively and 

efficiently enforce them. 

Rebuilding civil rights capabilities is critical and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil 

Rights (OASCR) is setting the stage for a more inclusive future. Civil Rights is the bedrock that 

allows USDA to commit to its equity work. Civil rights is at the foundation of USDA’s work to

improve the equitable delivery of USDA’s programs and services. As such, Secretary Vilsack

issued a mandate that OASCR take proactive decision-making steps for the purpose of 

rebuilding the transparency, accountability and integrity of operations and programs to find 

solutions to challenges while building a roadmap for effective sustainable change that could be

institutionalized for decades to come. 

In the last year, significant improvements have resulted from transforming USDA’s program 

complaints processing by engaging in aggressive inventory reduction initiatives, yielding a 

decrease in inventory age and processing times. In line with the Equity Commission’s

recommendation to transform the office in FY23, OASCR increased the speed of processing filed

program complaints of discrimination, and increased capacity so that it can meet an ambitious

target of resolving new complaints within 225 days.

OASCR increased staffing capacity and expertise by onboarding 59 employees in FY23. In FY23,

OASCR received 275 equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaints of discrimination, and

there were an unprecedented 18 findings of discrimination due to an increased efficiency of 

staff. 

Moreover, OASCR has initiated 31 process improvements projects to address a variety of

challenges, including information technology modernization, the development of an Equity

Action Plan, Anti-Harassment Departmental Regulation and Training and the development of a

Departmental comprehensive language access program. Through the completion of 19 of the

31 Process Improvement Projects, USDA has seen tremendous progress in the delivery of

compliance measures which provide the framework to institutionalizing USDA’s DEIA work.

USDA agrees with the Equity Commission’s assessment that language is a barrier for 

linguistically and culturally diverse communities trying to access programs and services; 

language access is a key part of ensuring communities are aware of USDA’s programs and 

services. USDA has been working diligently to improve access for members of the public whose 

English proficiency is limited. 

The Equity Commission’s recommendations were included as a key source of input during the 

development of USDA’s Department-wide Language Access Plan. Published in November 2023, 

the plan seeks to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) receive meaningful 
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access to USDA’s resources, programs, and activities. This plan aims to reduce the burden to 

language access services and creates a robust language access system for all by ensuring that 

USDA-conducted and assisted activities provide services equivalent in scope, quality, and 

effectiveness to people LEP. It ensures LEP persons are appropriately informed of the 

availability of translation and interpretation services and do not experience unreasonable 

delays in services related to translation and interpretation. 

Department-wide equity strategy: Advance equity in federal procurement by 

providing underserved and disadvantaged businesses tools and resources to 

increase access to funding opportunities, and by helping promote safe and 

secure provision of services and supplies.

The Commission’s recommendation focused on procurement and supplier diversity included 

several actions that were taken into consideration as USDA invests in local procurement and

leverages its buying power to ensure small and disadvantaged businesses have a fair shot at 

being able to do business with the Department. In 2023, a number of enhancements were 

made to the USDA Procurement Forecast process. USDA is currently gathering FY24 and FY25 

forecasts which are viewable by vendors at Forecast of Business Opportunities | USDA. 

The Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) has also linked the Forecast Tool referenced

above to the procurement requisition and contract award information. This will ensure all USDA

contract needs are added to the Forecast Tool, and vendors visiting the Office of Small and

Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) page have current information on procurement 

opportunities.

Recently, USDA Vendor Capabilities Portal deployed a Vendor Survey to allow companies to 

share their capabilities statements with USDA. The tool has the potential to provide immediate

and widespread access to vendor information and easily identify new entrants interested in 

doing business with USDA.

USDA exceeded all small business goals established by the Small Business Association (SBA) in

FY23.  Although final figures are not published by SBA until later in the year, USDA’s

approximate small business goal achievement in FY23 was:
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USDA’s Approximate Small Business Goal Achievement (FY23)

Program

USDA 

Percentage 

Obligated

USDA Goal USDA Goal 

Delta2

Small Business 68.95% 55% +13.95%

Small Disadvantaged Business 28.26% 22.40% +5.86%

Woman Owned Small Business 11.69% 5% +6.69%

Service-Disabled Veteran Owned 

Small Business 5.43% 3% +2.43%

Historically Underutilized Business 

Zones (HUBZone) 6.66% 3% +3.66%

2 Each year USDA is given a goal by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The delta is the percentage of total 

USDA procurement spent above the goal set by SBA. 
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USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Farmers and Ranchers

Department-wide equity strategy: Ensure agricultural resources and 

assistance are broadly accessible, while creating new, more, and better 

market opportunities so USDA policies and programs advance agriculture for 

all who want to participate, not just a few.

The Equity Commission report details a set of recommendations focused on advancing equity 

for farmers and ranchers. Since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA has engaged 

agricultural producers in new and more effective ways, streamlining the delivery of its 

programs, opening the doors of agriculture to all, and providing a more effective and holistic

farm safety net. USDA is helping producers increase their revenue sources and income

opportunities so their operations—and the agricultural economy—can become more

sustainable, resilient, and profitable.

The first recommendation within this section of the Equity Commission’s report addresses 

issues of heirs’ property and fractionated land. Heirs’ property and other land tenure issues 

have long been substantial barriers preventing access to USDA programs for historically

underserved producers, including farmers, ranchers, and other landowners. 

USDA Secretary Vilsack met with producers and partners in Arkansas to discuss the investment of up to $2.8 billion 

into 70 selected projects for the first funding pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding 

opportunity; 20 of those projects are expected to impact Arkansas.

Through the Heirs’ Property Relending Program (HPRP), USDA provides $10.6 million in loan 

funding to assist heirs with resolving title issues related to property and with resolving land 

ownership and succession issues on agricultural land. Through a competitive process, 
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intermediary lenders are provided loan funds for relending to heirs for purposes such as 

financing the purchase or consolidation of property interests, financing costs associated with a 

succession plan, buying out fractional interests of other heirs to clear the title, title searches, 

mediation, and legal services. This relending program provides access to capital to help 

producers find a resolution. The program’s benefits will keep farmland in farming, protect 

family farm legacies, and support economic viability.

• To amplify awareness of the relending program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has

partnered with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives /Land Assistance Fund to

conduct outreach and technical assistance to ensure eligible heirs learn about the

program and receive programmatic and general support when applying to the HPRP.

FSA plans to continue to utilize agreements to partner with experienced organizations

to deliver legal services.

• In addition to the relending program, outreach and education efforts regarding heirs’

property issues have been implemented. Through an Agriculture Food and Research

Initiative (AFRI) grant, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) funded a

collaborative effort led by the Southern Rural Development Center to develop a training

curriculum on heirs' property and fractionation issues.

• The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program funded a project with the

Center for Heirs Property Preservation Program in South Carolina leveraging the AFRI

training. This project is working on increasing landowners’ knowledge of how to resolve

heirs’ property issues to benefit from USDA cost share programs and establish

succession plans.

• FSA entered into a cooperative agreement with the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and

Ranchers (SDFR) Policy Research Center at Alcorn State University. The agreement

helped to enhance and implement the training curriculum while supporting Minority

Serving Institutions (MSIs) as they work with underserved farmers and ranchers who are

disproportionately impacted by these land tenure issues.

Looking forward, USDA has made a commitment in the FSA Equity Action Plan to continue 

expanding opportunities for heirs and Tribal producers impacted by heirs’ property and 

fractionated land issues by improving the Heirs’ Property Relending Program and Highly 

Fractionated Indian Land Program. 

With respect to the Commission’s recommendation on community-led land access and 

transition projects, with authority and funding provided through the American Rescue Plan, as 

amended by section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, FSA announced a grant and 

cooperative agreement program making up to $300 million to assist underserved producers 

through the Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program in August 2022. Recognizing 

the importance of land access to agriculture and opportunity, this program is designed to help 

underserved producers by increasing land, capital, and market access. The program announced 

the selection of 50 projects in June 2023 that helped underserved producers go from surviving 

to thriving.
20

In addition to land access, USDA recognizes the need to support farmers’ and ranchers’ access 

to better markets and the need for future food systems to be fair, competitive, and resilient. 

We are working to support Tribal producers through The Bison Purchase Pilot, which is an 

interagency pilot made possible by USDA’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations 

(FDPIR). It is aimed at offering more localized ground bison meat for Tribal communities while 

increasing market opportunities for local Tribal and bison operations. 

Additionally, in May 2023, USDA announced that 12 organizations will be new USDA Regional 

Food Business Centers. These centers will provide national coverage, coordination, technical 

assistance, and capacity building to help farmers, 

ranchers, and other food businesses access new 

markets and navigate federal, state, and local 

resources.

A resilient system requires an examination of the 

barriers to success and finding solutions. USDA is in 

alignment with the Commission’s recommendations 

on climate change, conservation, and risk 

management and is incorporating an equity lens in 

the programs that touch these areas. The 

Department is committed to a climate-smart 

agriculture and forestry approach that is voluntary, 

incentive-based, and collaborative; one that expands 

and creates new markets for climate-smart 

commodities and greenhouse gas reductions 

rewarding farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners 

for their stewardship.

USDA has made significant investments in partnerships to support diverse farmers, ranchers, 

and forest landowners through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. USDA 

incorporated stakeholder concerns into the program design and made equity a factor in award 

selection, encouraging partnerships with underserved producers. These efforts will finance the 

production of climate-smart commodities through partner-led pilot and demonstration projects 

that help expand and create markets for climate-smart agricultural commodities and will 

provide new sources of revenue for producers. As a result of the $3.1 billion Partnerships for 

Climate-Smart Commodities effort, USDA is investing in 141 projects. 

All Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities projects require meaningful involvement with 

underserved producers. Climate investments have been made across 53 states and territories 

and over 20 Tribes and Tribal groups. These investments will reach 60,000 farms and have a 

high focus on supporting small and underserved farmers and ranchers to reach expanded 

markets and revenue streams. Among the partners are more than 20 Minority Serving 

Equity Conservation 

Cooperative 

Agreements 

In FY22, the Natural Resource and 

Conservation Service administered 

a $50 million investment in 118 

partnerships to improve equity in 

access to conservation programs 

through Equity Conservation 

Cooperative Agreements and 

invested another $70 million in 

139 projects in FY23.
21

Institutions, more than 20 Tribal partners, and many partner groups with small and 

underserved producers.

The Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS) has outlined five actions in its Equity 

Action Plan that incorporate the Commission’s recommendations, with a focus on conservation 

related recommendations. For example, NRCS has been working to increase awareness for 

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Advance Payments through training of State 

Outreach Coordinators. NRCS established a supplemental payment to assist producers to 

continue implementing existing EQIP contracts in light of current inflation. As part of these 

Post-Inflationary Supplemental Payments (PISPs), the agency conducted an economic analysis 

to determine which conservation practices were most impacted by inflation and to what extent. 

In evaluating options to determine which practices should receive PISPs, NRCS heavily weighted 

the impacts to underserved producers.

As a result of guidance at the USDA 2023 National Tribal Consultation, NRCS recently added 

three conservation practices to the list of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry core practices. 

For 2024, prescribed burning, brush management, and restoration of rare and declining 

communities (through floodplain hydrology and connectivity improvement) will be recognized 

for their climate change mitigation impacts, and these practices are also eligible for NRCS 

Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding.

In alignment with the Commission’s recommendations to modify conservation programs 

standards to ensure the use of Indigenous Knowledge and land management practices, FSA 

modified the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to allow for added staffing 

capacity and to increase eligibility to a broader array of entities including Tribes. In 2022, FSA 

signed historic CREP agreements with three Tribal Nations in the Great Plains: Cheyenne River, 

Oglala, and Rosebud Sioux Tribes. These partner agreements will help enroll eligible grassland, 

pastureland, and other agricultural lands within the boundaries of their reservations. USDA’s 

Regional Climate Hubs are also working with Tribal stakeholders to include their knowledge and 

priorities as they deliver science-based climate-smart agriculture tools and programs. Specific 

examples include the Native Climate Project and the Collaborative Conservation and 

Adaptation Strategy Toolbox, which includes co-developing the Drought Severity Evaluation 

Tool for use by the Navajo Nation. 
22

Administrator Zach Ducheneaux and Assistant Director, Division of Conservation, Steve Frost conducted a review of

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) incentives to remove land from irrigation and received a briefing on grazing 

alternatives. 

Through a series of stakeholder engagements, and as part of the Risk Management Agency 

(RMA) Equity Action Plan, RMA leadership has worked to identify programs gaps by 

continuously evaluating existing programs leading to the expansion of coverage to a variety of 

specialty crops. In response to the recommendation in the Interim Report, the Micro Farm 

maximum allowable farm revenue has been raised to $350,000 from $100,000. In March 2023, 

RMA implemented a five-year contract to provide grant writing and project management 

assistance to nonprofits serving young, new and beginning, small-scale, underserved, and 

specialty crop farmers. And, in August 2023, USDA announced it is improving crop insurance 

options for small and diversified farmers as part of RMA’s efforts to increase participation and 

access to crop insurance. 

In January 2023, FSA announced updates to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program 

(NAP) that improves access to this important risk management tool. These updates provide free 

basic NAP coverage, including financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when 

there are low yields, loss of inventory, or when planting was prevented due to natural disaster, 

and waiving the NAP service fee for producers who have certified as socially disadvantaged, 

limited resource, beginning or veteran farmers or ranchers occur due to natural disasters. 

While this change is recent, we expect it to help expand enrollment, allowing more producers 

to receive coverage and better manage risk. FSA has established a NAP advisory group and a 

working group to identify administrative program changes and flexibilities that will streamline 

and simplify producer participation to continue improving on access to NAP. 
23

Within its technical assistance and outreach recommendation, the Equity Commission 

highlighted stakeholder difficulties navigating USDA’s programs and services. USDA is helping to 

ensure that underserved farmers, ranchers, and foresters have the tools, programs and support 

they need to succeed in agriculture. Through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and as 

amended by section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act, NIFA has invested over $100 million

in more than 30 community-based organizations, universities, and nonprofits to foster 

producer resilience and success. With the establishment of the American Rescue Plan Technical 

Assistance Investment Program (ARPTAI), USDA is empowering trusted organizations to carry 

out tailored outreach and technical assistance programs that reduce barriers to accessing USDA 

programs and ensure underserved producers can thrive. The goal is to provide targeted 

support for at-risk producers to avoid land loss, 

develop sound business plans, expand revenues and 

markets, and unlock access to capital. Establishing 

cooperative agreements with trusted technical 

assistance providers is an important step in building

trust with producer communities. 

Two cohorts of organizations have been selected to 

serve as partners to USDA based on their proven

track records working with underserved producer

communities, such as veterans, new farmers, limited

resource producers, and producers living in highpoverty areas. NIFA partners with agencies across

USDA to substantially engage the Cooperators to

ensure their success. Since the inception of ARPTAI,

Cooperators have reported over 70,000 meaningful 

interactions with underserved producers to achieve

equitable participation in USDA programs through 

responsive outreach and technical assistance.

The Department also agrees with the Commission’s

recommendation to increase technical assistance and

financial support for young and beginning farmers

and has identified Beginning Farmer and Rancher

Coordinators for each state from state office staff of 

the FSA, NRCS, and Rural Development, and regional 

staff of RMA. These coordinators are tasked with 

leading the development and implementation of a 

beginning farmer education, outreach, and technical 

assistance plan for their state. They are 

Cohort 1 Cooperator

The Farmer Veteran Coalition 

(FVC), a Cohort I Cooperator, is 

supporting underserved 

agricultural producers and their 

communities by increasing 

access to USDA programs; 

improving economic viability and 

market conditions for veteranowned farms and ranchers; 

enhancing the knowledge and 

skills of beginning farmer 

veterans; and offering technical 

assistance to over 35,000 farmer 

veterans nationally. FVC is 

accomplishing this by hosting 

expert-led training workshops 

and webinars, followed by a 

veteran-to-veteran peer learning 

model approach, and concluding 

with individualized technical 

assistance administered by FVC’s 

veteran service providers.
24

supported by regional coordinators and the USDA 

National Beginning Farmer Coordinator. This work 

includes targeting small, minority, and specialty crop 

producers through a variety of outreach channels 

including online education and outreach. 

RMA has invested $13 million since 2021 in its Risk 

Management Education (RME) partnerships. The 

goal of RME is to educate underserved, small-scale, 

and organic producers on farm risk management and 

climate-smart farm practices. In FY24, USDA

announced an additional $3 million in funding. For 

farm programs, this includes improved assistance 

and capacity training on the skills involved in 

successful farm management, such as business 

planning, market development, financial knowledge, 

and more.

Additionally, USDA’s NRCS led a multi-agency effort 

to create and publish the “Get Started!” Guide,

designed to help underserved farmers, ranchers, and 

forest landowners better understand and access the 

programs and resources available to help them. The 

guide is available in multiple languages and includes 

information on farm loans, crop insurance, 

conservation programs, disaster assistance, and 

more, supporting producers to improve their operations and reach their goals. 

Lastly, USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) has funded 615 grants 

since 2010, totaling more than $194 million through the 2501 Program. The objective of the 

2501 Program is to show USDA’s commitment to ensuring that underserved and veteran 

farmers, ranchers, and foresters can equitably participate in USDA programs. Grants are 

awarded to community-based and non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and 

eligible tribal entities with at least three years of experience in working with socially 

disadvantaged farmers and ranchers or veteran farmers and ranchers. 2501 Program partners 

are based in local communities and rural areas where they serve a critical role in maximizing 

USDA’s outreach efforts by identifying systemic barriers that need to be removed and working 

to increase equitable participation in USDA’s programs and services. In FY23, approximately $28 

million was awarded to 42 grantees in 25 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 

Guam. Projects funded under the 2501 Program include, but are not limited to, conferences, 

workshops and demonstrations on various farming techniques and other efforts to connect 

underserved farmers and ranchers to USDA local officials to help communities increase their 

awareness of USDA’s programs and services.

Cohort 2 Cooperator

Virginia State University (VSU), a

Cohort II Cooperator, is

equipping underserved farmer 

communities with the tools and 

skills needed to make informed

decisions that lead to profitable

farm businesses, while increasing

their participation in USDA

programs and Soil and Water 

Conservation District programs. 

VSU provides educational 

workshops and farm visits to 

assist producers with 

implementation of best

practices. This work is

successfully positioning Virginia’s

small and underserved farmers

to move from “Plants to Profits.”
25

 

The Blackfeet Indian Reservation, a 1.5-million-acre reservation on the Rocky Mountain Front located east of Glacier 

National Park in northeast Montana and one of the largest Tribes in the US. 

The Commission’s Report includes a recommendation that recognizes the many forms of 

traditional agriculture, including Tribal and Native American, Alaskan Native, and Native 

Hawaiian agriculture. The Department values and respects the diversity of traditional 

agriculture. Last year, FSA updated the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rates to 

recognize traditional Tribal animals, better reflecting the true market value of non-adult beef, 

beefalo, bison, and dairy animals. 

In 2023, USDA announced the first recipients of Indigenous animals meat processing grants. 

USDA created the Indigenous Animals Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program with

direct input from Tribal leaders. This program acknowledges the unique role of Indigenous

animals as an important protein source for tribal communities. Learn more at

www.usda.gov/iag. 

The Equity Commission notes the complexity of FSA loan programs and processes challenges

and how this can present a barrier to accessing USDA programs and services. USDA provides 

credit for agricultural real estate and operating expenses through direct and guaranteed loans 

to approximately 115,000 borrowers who cannot obtain sufficient commercial credit. 

FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate Farm Loan Programs’ 

customer-facing business processes, to improve access to capital. With efforts dating back to 

FY22, FSA has embarked on a seven-year digital transformation plan. This plan creates 

efficiencies for employees to improve return time, better assisting customers, and focusing on 

reviewing and processing new loans and servicing requests. 
26

Since 2021, FSA has made many improvements, including: 

• The Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov provides customers with an interactive online,

step-by-step guide to identify the direct loan products that may be a fit for their

business needs. The tool then guides customers to take an eligibility assessment, use a

document gathering checklist to prepare for completing a loan application, and navigate

the application process.

• A paperless Online Loan Application through farmers.gov that provides helpful features

including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents

such as tax returns, and to complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.

Once submitted the customer can monitor the loan application’s review status.

• A simplified direct loan paper application form was reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages

and the average customer completion time reduced by 50%.

• Pay My Loan provides an online direct loan repayment option available through

farmers.gov allowing loan payments to be made 24/7 for most borrowers at their

convenience. Pay My Loan saves time for borrowers and minimizes manual payment

processing activities for farm loan employees.

• Application Fast Track (AFT) reduces processing timeline and improve delivery of the

program. For FSA’s direct loan customer with a low probability of default, AFT

accelerates the underwriting process. This process improvement reduces the staff

hours committed to underwriting by loan staff which allows more time to be provided

to customers who may need more technical assistance.

USDA remains committed to supporting family farms and to providing them with the credit

needed to start and grow their operation. Farm Loans are a cornerstone of the assistance that

is provided, but cumbersome processes and antiquated technology have been barriers to more

effectively and efficiently meeting the needs of customers who expect and deserve streamlined

processes and online technology to obtain credit and service their loan. This streamlining effort

will expand access to credit by reducing direct loan application withdrawn and rejected rates,

particularly among underserved customers.

The Inflation Reduction Act provided $3.1 billion in funding for USDA to provide expeditious

relief for distressed borrowers with at-risk agricultural operations with outstanding direct or 

guaranteed FSA loans. Section 22006 of the IRA helps keep our farmers farming and providing 

a fresh start for producers in challenging positions.

• As of February 20, 2024, FSA has provided approximately $2.2 billion in IRA 22006

assistance to more than 39,500 distressed direct and guaranteed loan borrowers. This

will continue to increase in the coming weeks as previously announced assistance is

deployed.

• To date, approximately 36% of FSA’s direct loan borrowers have received assistance and

9% of all guaranteed loan borrowers have received assistance.
27

• Over the course of the implementation of IRA assistance, FSA direct loan delinquency 

has decreased from 16.5% to 9.5% and continues to decline. Guaranteed loan 

delinquency has decreased from 1.64% to 1.46%.

• Section 22006 has provided timely assistance to 543 direct borrowers who had been 

flagged for liquidation, and in the coming weeks will assist an additional 210 guaranteed 

borrowers flagged for liquidation. 

• IRA assistance has so far reduced the number of accelerated accounts by 74% with 

continued reductions monthly.

IRA also directed USDA to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest 

landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 

2021 through Section 22007. Congress provided a total of $2.2 billion for this program.

USDA established the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP) to implement this 

directive. As specified in the law, qualified nongovernmental entities administered the 

assistance using standards set by USDA. The Department worked diligently to design it in 

accordance with the law and with significant stakeholder input. USDA took immediate steps to 

convene listening sessions and seek public comments about the design of the program to make 

sure farmers, advocates, academics, legislators, tribal governments, and other experts were 

heard.

USDA is working closely with the nongovernmental program administrators who were 

conducting outreach, assisting with the financial assistance application process, processing 

applications, managing program call centers, and operating 30 local offices across 26 states. 

USDA also worked with the eight trusted community partners who were also providing 

outreach and application support. The entities involved in the DFAP application process 

engaged in outreach at the local, state, and national levels. Program administrators and 

cooperators hosted roughly 4,000 events across every state, territory, and the District of 

Columbia. This includes more than 3,000 outreach events by program administrators and more 

than 800 by cooperators. The program administrators also hosted over 6,500 office visits and 

over 4,500 technical assistance sessions. USDA officials also amplified the program, at events 

ranging from Farm Aid to the Intertribal Ag Council’s Annual Meeting, to the National Black 

Growers Council Annual Meeting.

Applications were accepted from July 7, 2023, to January 17, 2024. Tens of thousands of 

applications were accepted over this period. Applications are currently being reviewed by the 

third-party administrators that are managing the program in consultation with agricultural 

experts. USDA is moving aggressively to provide financial assistance because the Biden-Harris 

Administration recognizes that the impacts of discrimination are cumulative, and that it is 

essential to get the money into the hands of applicants as soon as possible. By taking these 

important steps to fulfill the mandates of Section 22007, USDA hopes to recognize and 

acknowledge the discrimination suffered by individuals, take steps to rebuild trust with 

communities, and create a better and stronger U.S. agriculture that is more diverse and 

resilient.
28

The Equity Commission called attention to the disparities in farm program benefits paid to 

underserved producers. USDA acknowledges these disparities and welcomes further research,

discussion, and work with Congress to address systemic inequities. Among the programs raised

by the Equity Commission are those programs connected to base acres. The designation of base

acres and the crops identified are specified in USDA statutes or explicitly identified in the Farm

Bill. 

Early in 2021, USDA briefly paused the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) to

make significant improvements to the program and to better meet the needs of producers and 

industries left out of earlier pandemic assistance programs. In addition to making substantial 

improvements to CFAP 2, USDA created several new programs through the Pandemic

Assistance for Producers initiative to support those producers who experienced substantial

losses due to the pandemic but who had not been included in previous rounds of assistance.

The Pandemic Assistance for Producers filled gaps in previous assistance, making sure that

USDA was reaching a much broader set of producers, including those in underserved 

communities, small- and medium-sized producers, farmers and producers of non-commodity

crops, and other agricultural businesses.

FSA focused on making sure the assistance helped address every producer’s comprehensive

loss. This meant creating new programs to support transitioning organic producers, cotton and 

wool apparel manufacturers, biofuel producers, producers who sold hogs through a spot

market sale, livestock producers impacted by insufficient access to processing, timber 

harvesting and hauling businesses, dairy farmers who received a lower value due to market

abnormalities, and more. It also meant reimagining and improving USDA’s approach to disaster 

assistance. This initiative provided an opportunity for the Department to evaluate and adjust 

how it delivers programs based on feedback from the agriculture industry and add mechanisms,

such as looking at an operations overall revenue decline, to target assistance to farmers with

more severe impacts instead of the normal crop-by-crop approach that is less holistic. 

In 2023, USDA implemented the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program, the final program of

the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, and Emergency Relief Program Phase 2, one 

of the first times FSA programs were able to leverage revenue loss data as a mechanism for 

providing assistance. This innovation in program delivery provided a nexus for new producers 

to engage with FSA, establish working relationships, and receive assistance. Through these 

programs, the Department has demonstrated that disaster assistance can be made available for 

all producers irrespective of base acres. 

The Equity Commission is critical of the County Committee (COC) system, a longstanding and 

statutorily required structure. Given its statutory status, the COC system cannot be removed or 

substantially changed absent Congressional action. The Department is working to recruit

Committee members who reflect the full diversity of American agriculture, improve Committee

trainings, and develop strategies to increase engagement with farmers who have not been 

represented in the past.
29

FSA is working to advance equity in COCs. Prior to 2023, socially disadvantaged (SDA)

County Committee (COC) members appointed by the Secretary served one year before 

entering the next election cycle. FSA has extended the 12-month appointed term to 36 

months. This action provides better continuity and ensures that each SDA appointed voting 

member can exercise the same authority as elected COC members. To ensure proper 

implementation at the field level, FSA provides training and directives to field staff. Trainings 

are provided in three sessions throughout the election process to emphasize the importance 

of outreach to underserved participants throughout the election year. 

• Session 1. Provide outreach to underserved producers and underserved groups to

obtain nominees for the election.

• Session 2. Recruit and appoint an SDA Advisor from an underserved group. (If there is a

county that has underserved nominees who were not elected, recruitment efforts are

prioritized).

• Session 3. Locations identified as lacking full voting representation through the regular

election process must provide a recommendation to the Secretary. This enables USDA

leadership to identify and address issues of potential underrepresentation more quickly

and effectively.

All COC members are required to complete training on unconscious bias, the NO FEAR Act, and 

working effectively with Tribal Governments. New COC members are also required to complete 

a six-module orientation guide that includes modules on collaboration, proper decision making, 

and respecting other members of the committee even through disagreements. The orientation 

training also includes the appeals process and highlights the additional roles of the non-voting

minority advisor. The Equity Commission has raised concerns regarding accountability, COC 

members are considered intermittent part-time Federal non-civil service employees. As such, 

when conduct issues arise the FSA Administrator and Deputy Administrator for Field Operations 

have reviewed them as employee actions.

Finally, FSA is in a pilot stage to implement Urban County Committees and is leveraging the 

pilot to improve access to USDA programs in urban and suburban areas. FSA appreciates the 

Equity Commission recommendations and is committed to improving the accountability of the 

County Committee system. 
30

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Farmworkers and Their Families

While farmworkers have long been the key to the success of the Nation’s food and agriculture 

industries, they have been a fundamentally neglected, and too often exploited, population. 

Farmworkers are essential to the Nation’s food security, and USDA recognizes the critical need 

to address challenges of labor instability, increase labor protections, and provide access to 

nutrition. 

In working to find financial relief for essential workers during the pandemic, USDA established 

the Farm and Food Worker Relief (FFWR) Program which provided $600 relief payments to 

eligible farm and food workers who incurred expenses preparing for, preventing exposure to, 

and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA awarded approximately $670 million through 

competitive grants to fourteen nonprofit 

organizations and one Tribal entity with proven track 

records of partnering at the community level and 

conducting outreach with trusted worker serving 

organizations. 

Together, these partners issue relief payments to 

eligible farm and food workers nationwide. To further 

address challenges farmworkers face and in 

recognition with the Commission’s recommendations 

to support farmworkers, in September 2023 USDA, in 

coordination with other federal agencies, announced 

the availability of up to $65 million in grants for the 

Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program 

(FLSP Program). 

The FLSP Program will help address workforce needs 

in agriculture, promote a safe and healthy work 

environment for farmworkers, and aims to support 

expansion of lawful migration pathways for workers, 

including for workers from Northern Central America, 

through the Department of Labor’s seasonal H-2A 

visa program. The program makes good on a commitment made and announced as part of the

Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection and is funded by President Biden’s

American Rescue Plan. FLSP Program will help ensure that workers know their rights and the

resources available for them and will promote fair and transparent recruitment practices. The

program incentivizes participating employers to engage in stronger workplace protections and

benefits for farmworkers. The strong research component in the program will allow USDA and

its stakeholders to take lessons learned to address severe gaps in knowledge about the

experiences of domestic and H-2A farmworkers, and those of employers. 

USDA’s OPPE established a new internship program for students from migrant and 

farmworker backgrounds starting the summer of 2023 at USDA headquarters in

Supplemental 

Nutrition Assistance 

Program (SNAP)

Outreach

FNS is encouraging States to

conduct outreach to inform lowincome households of all

communities, including

farmworkers and their families,

about the opportunity to apply 

for SNAP. In FY24, 48 States are 

conducting SNAP outreach 

activities based on FNS-approved 

outreach plans.
31

Washington, D.C. This new internship is part of USDA’s commitment to ensuring equitable 

access to the Department’s programs, services, and resources by underserved groups. 

Additionally, employees will learn from the unique experiences of the interns, and the 

experience for the interns will create career pathways in the Department and will ensure that 

USDA continues to institutionalize equity and culture change across the agency. 

While USDA has made significant strides to improve the living and working conditions for 

farmworkers and their families, USDA recognizes and validates the recommendations of the

Equity Commission that there is more to do. USDA is currently exploring the feasibility of the

recommendations that address recognition of farmworkers’ needs within intergovernmental

processes, programs, services, funding, and policies.

On the Commission’s farmworker nutrition recommendation, FNS has been working to

translate its public-facing nutrition assistance program materials into Spanish and other 

languages, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility page, a 

prototype school meals application, the Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Benefit 

Eligibility Form, and Women, Infants, and Children Breastfeeding Support resources. In 2022, 

FNS published a Non-Citizen Communities webpage that provides information on what FNS 

programs support eligible non-citizens and family members. As part of FNS’ technical 

assistance efforts to assist Puerto Rico in the conversion from the Nutrition Assistance Program 

to SNAP, FNS has translated 11 key documents, materials, and handbooks into Spanish. FNS 

also issued four retailer reminders, including a SNAP retailer compliance notice about 

Electronic Benefits Transfer card skimming to over 240,000 SNAP retailers in six languages 

(English, Spanish, Arabic, Haitian Creole, Chinese – Traditional, and Chinese – Simplified). 
32

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity in Research and Extension Programs

Students of “The Next Generation – A Diversity of Motivations” at the United States Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) Science, Technology and Math (STEM) symposium, “America the Bountiful”

The Department appreciates the Equity Commission’s recommendations to invest in and 

advance federal agricultural research, development, and deployment. USDA understands that 

investments today will define innovation for decades to come. USDA’s Research, Education, and 

Economics (REE) mission area is committed to enhancing equity across all aspects of our work 

through applying an equity lens when designing our research, programs, trainings, outreach, 

and partnerships. USDA is making substantial investments at MSIs so that those institutions can 

address the challenges their communities are facing through increased targeted research and 

extension capacity while advancing equity in educational opportunities and workforce 

development for diverse communities. In REE’s Equity Action Plan, there are clear steps 

outlined that aim to diversify and expand funding for research, education, extension activities, 

and external partnerships as well as efforts to engage communities. 

We acknowledge the Equity Commissions recommendation on matching requirements for 

historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs or 1890) and Tribal Land Grant College and 

Universities (TCU or 1994) Institution programming. We recognize that these requirements 

have often limited the participation of those institutions in competitive and capacity programs 

as well as perpetuated the inequities in some states’ support to 1890 compared to Land Grant 

Universities (LGU or 1862) institutions for providing matching funding. In efforts to reduce 

historical barriers to program access, the Secretaries of Education and Agriculture jointly issued 

letters to relevant state governors encouraging 1:1 matching. Currently, 1890 Institutions have 

been able to apply for waivers for matching requirements. The 1994 Institutions have been 

allowed to use endowment and other non-Federal funding to meet the matching requirements. 

USDA also has raised awareness of these barriers with Congress through the technical 

assistance process. 

To deliver on our commitment to operate with transparency, USDA launched a public 

dashboard in FY23 that provides historic data (from FY18 onward) on matching requirements 
33

and outcomes for grant programs where a match is required. Staff are currently evaluating the 

impacts of this dashboard and identifying any applicable enhancements. 

USDA has been listening to stakeholders about the need to build capacity and investment at 

MSIs and has taken action by providing tailored technical assistance and increased research, 

education and extension funding for MSIs. Across NIFA’s portfolio, the agency invested $528

million in FY23 in 1890 HBCUs, non-LGU HBCUs, Insular LGUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)

and 1994 TCUs. This represents a more than $260 million increase from the FY21 total 

investment of $253 million. NIFA has invested nearly $30 million in HSIs during the past two 

years to build the capacity of more than 220 HSIs to carry out higher education programs that

attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation’s food and 

agricultural workforce. OPPE has also entered into six cooperative agreements with HSIs to 

expand USDA’s outreach and recruitment efforts.

USDA has been making multiple efforts to build capacity for MSI institutions to be competitive 

for grants that fund research and extension and to better assist those institutions in managing 

federal grant awards once they receive them. In 2023, NIFA revamped its grants writing 

workshops to enhance access to NIFA programs and improve grants management. Currently, 

NIFA includes language in all Requests for Applications (RFAs) that encourage collaboration with 

minority serving institutions/organizations. As USDA’s extramural and intramural research 

agencies, NIFA and ARS have partnered to conduct a series of capacity-building workshops for 

1890 and 1994 institutions to enhance their financial and project management capacity. NIFA

and ARS continue to explore collaborative efforts to help build research capacity at 1994 TCUs 

and NIFA is discussing allocating resources within the Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program 

to support building research capacity and research collaboration.

There is no doubt that institutional capacity building and sustained investments will impact the 

future agricultural workforce for generations. USDA recognizes the value of investing in 

inclusion, diversity, and inspiring future generations through formal and informal learning. 

Further expanded on in the REE Equity Action Plan, REE will continue their commitment to 

equity and evolve their research and data portfolio to integrate and reflect American diversity.

The following examples are just some of the many ways these program investments in 

educational equity can support a diverse range of students and the future of agricultural

workforce: 

• HSI Education Grants: Promote and strengthen the ability of HSIs to carry out higher 

education programs in food and agricultural sciences. Examples of recent funded 

projects, include: Mentoring and training a cohort of Hispanic students in the field of 

bioderived organic materials; providing students with learning opportunities involving 

genetic engineering of plants and microbes to improve soil health and plant 

productivity; and creating a regional microbiome innovation center to train a diverse 

highly skilled workforce in the food, agriculture and natural resource field.
34

• Scholarships for Students at 1890 Institutions Program: Provide scholarships to 

support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring, and training of undergraduates at 

the 1890 Land-grant Institutions in the fields that lead to a highly skilled food and 

agricultural systems workforce. Approximately 1,200 undergraduate students receive 

scholarships though this program each academic year at 1890 Institutions.

USDA is committed to diversifying and

strengthening the education and workforce

development in the food and agricultural sciences. 

Through The From Learning to Leading: Cultivating 

the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture

Professionals (NextGen) program, funded through 

the Inflation Reduction Act, USDA seeks to enable

institutions to engage, recruit, retain, train, and

support students, ranging from grade school to

graduate education. NextGen scholars will be

prepared to be leaders and innovators for food,

agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences 

supporting a future workforce that represents the

diversity of this country and all the communities

USDA serves. 

The 33 funded NextGen projects being delivered by

over 60 MSI partners will provide training and

support to more than 20,000 future food and 

agricultural leaders. NextGen projects are led by

HBCUs, TCUs, Alaska Native-serving Institutions and 

Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions, HSIs, or 

institutions of Higher Education located in the 

Insular Areas. Most projects collaborate with other 

MSIs, other academic institutions, nonprofit 

organizations, state and USDA agencies, and a 

myriad of other organizations. 

“From Learning to 

Leading” Program

In 2022, USDA announced $250 

262.5 million for the “From 

Learning to Leading: Cultivating 

the Next Generation of Diverse 

Food and Agriculture 

Professionals” (NextGen) 

program to Create Career 

Development Opportunities for 

Next Gen Scholars at MinorityServing Institutions. This 

competitive funding opportunity 

is aimed at attracting, inspiring, 

and retaining diverse and 

talented students at eligible 

minority-serving institutions for 

careers in food, agriculture, and 

related disciplines, with an 

emphasis on federal government 

sector employment.
35

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Under Secretary for REE Dr. Chavonda Jacobs Young participate in a 

groundbreaking ceremony for a new Plant Sciences Building that will house scientists from the USDA’s Agricultural 

Research Service.

In addition to the NextGen Program, the Research and Extension Experiences for 

Undergraduates (REEU) program promotes research and extension learning experiences to

support career pathways into the food and agricultural science industries. In 2023, REEU

provided $15 million in funding to colleges and universities to provide opportunities for

students, including those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups. 

Project focus areas include innovative agricultural technologies, such as data science and

artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, gene editing, and nutrition security. Investments

have already supported 19 college and university projects across the country working to 

develop a more diverse and well-trained next generation of research, education, and extension 

professionals across the food and agricultural sciences.
36

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Families Needing Food Assistance 

Department-wide equity strategy: Promote nutrition security and health 

equity through USDA nutrition assistance programs to ensure all Americans 

have access to the nutrition they need.

USDA appreciates the Equity Commission’s recommendations to better ensure equitable 

nutrition assistance for all those in need. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) leverages its 

16 nutrition assistance programs to ensure children, income-eligible individuals, and families 

have equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods that promote optimal health and 

well-being, while building a more resilient food system. FNS accomplishes this by partnering 

with more than 175 Tribal organizations, states, and U.S. Territories, that operate federal 

nutrition programs. Together, over the course of a year, these programs serve one in four 

Americans.

The USDA Equity Action Plan and the FNS Equity Action Plan provide detailed roadmaps on the 

steps taken to achieve health equity and include actions that support six Equity Commission 

recommendations. Through these actions, FNS is actively working to bridge gaps and reduce 

barriers to access by increasing language access, focusing on our customer experience, and 

continuing to review and update our nutrition programs to better serve all those in need. While 

we are proud to share some of the results of our efforts thus far, we have more work ahead.

Students and a teacher at North Lauderdale Elementary, Florida, grow 

vegetables in the school’s garden.
37

Investing in outreach, innovation, and modernization 

to ensure that the Special Supplemental Nutrition 

Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

meets the needs of today’s busy families. WIC 

modernization is focused on enrolling and keeping 

enrolled all eligible families while making WIC 

accessible for all. This includes making shopping simple 

and convenient with remote benefit delivery options 

so that families do not need to travel to a physical 

clinic location to receive services. 

FNS is partnering with the Gretchen Swanson Center 

for Nutrition to pilot online shopping in eight WIC State 

agencies (Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Nevada, South 

Dakota, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Washington, and 

Massachusetts). FNS is making available waivers and 

funding to support WIC State agencies in moving 

toward online shopping more broadly. Through 

rulemaking, FNS is proposing to remove regulatory 

barriers to online shopping in WIC and support a 

modern food delivery experience. FNS is currently 

analyzing comments received on the proposed rule 

and developing the final rule to implement changes. 

Through a cooperative agreement with the Food 

Research & Action Center (FRAC), FNS has awarded 

$16 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan 

Act of 2021 to 36 projects aimed at testing innovative 

outreach strategies to increase participation and 

equity in WIC. The WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Project (WIC CIAO) subgrantees 

include WIC State and local agencies and community-based organizations, including four 

subgrants led by Tribal nations or entities. FNS is continuing to support the FRAC as it develops 

a RFA for a second round of Community Innovation CIAO Grants expected later in FY24.

In 2021, FNS re-evaluated the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), the basis of the maximum SNAP benefit 

allotment, helping put healthy food within reach for over 40 million SNAP participants. The

increase to SNAP benefits kept 2.3 million people out of poverty, reducing overall poverty by 

4.7% and child poverty by 8.6%. 

In July 2023, FNS published updated TFP Cost Estimates for Alaska and Hawaii in a report that

summarizes the evaluation of existing price indexes and food price data sources, identification 

of the most appropriate data source, and FNS’ approach for using this data source to calculate 

TFP cost estimates. In preparation for the next Congressionally directed TFP reevaluation in 

2026, FNS has initiated a contract for a study to explore alternatives to the current TFP

Farm To School Grant 

Program 

For the 2023-24 school year, the 

Patrick Leahy Farm to School 

Grant Program is supporting 103 

grants, serving nearly 3,000

schools in 40 States and the 

territory of Guam. Farm to School 

grants help students eat more 

tasty, nutritious foods while 

supporting farmers and 

producers in their local and 

regional communities. Some 

grants are also focused on

promoting Tribal food 

sovereignty and the integration 

of traditional food ways into 

Tribal meal programs. An 

estimated 59% of the children 

served in the participating 

schools are eligible for free and 

reduced-price meals. 
38

optimization model and has started a food waste systematic review project. In January 2024,

FNS is working to draft the performance work statement to collect food price data to estimate

the cost of TFP for U.S. Territories.

We acknowledge and agree with the Commission’s recommendation that SNAP programs 

should be designed to be customer service-centered. FNS expanded SNAP online shopping to 

50 States and the District of Columbia in 2023, enabling 99% of SNAP recipients to use their

benefits to purchase food online. As of January 2024, over 300 retailer chains have SNAP

online purchasing representing thousands of physical storefronts. This has allowed for nearly

four million SNAP households to consistently shop online each month making it easier for

participants to access their benefits. Additionally, as 

part of a mobile payment pilot, SNAP participants in 

Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, and 

Oklahoma will have the option to use mobile 

payments methods – like tapping or scanning their 

personal mobile device – as an alternative to their 

physical SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. 

FNS provided training, technical assistance, and 

arranged four state site visits to educate Puerto Rico 

Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) leadership and 

staff about SNAP program regulations, requirements, 

disaster response, and operations. A collaboration 

through The Opportunity Project with the 

Department of Health and Human Services and the 

Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development 

and Commerce resulted in the launch of digital tools 

for job seekers with a focus on individuals in 

underserved communities. As a result of these 

efforts, Puerto Rico is implementing a modified SNAP 

Employment and Training program pilot. FNS 

ensured translation of key financial and program 

documents and handbooks to assist Puerto Rico in 

the administration of SNAP. 

USDA agrees with the Equity Commission’s request to review the nutrition programs and act to 

reduce barriers to access. Starting in summer 2023, with new authority from Congress, FNS 

allowed certain rural areas to distribute summer meals to kids outside of the typically required 

group (congregate) settings through the SFSP and NSLP Seamless Summer Option. This action 

will help close the summer hunger gap and ensure equitable access to nutritious food for 

children in all parts of the country during the summer months. FNS is also partnering with 

Incentivizing Fruit and 

Vegetable Purchases 

for SNAP Participants

In June 2023, USDA’s Food and 

Nutrition Service announced 

that Colorado, Louisiana, 

and Washington will receive a 

total of $25 million to establish 

an electronic healthy incentives 

pilot (eHIP) program to make it 

easier for SNAP households to 

access fruits and vegetables. The 

eHIP pilots aim to test incentive 

models that reduce 

administrative costs, allowing 

more incentive dollars to reach 

SNAP participants, enabling them 

to buy more nutritious fruits and 

vegetables. 
39

States and stakeholders to stand up a permanent summer EBT program starting in summer 

2024, which will provide benefits to purchase groceries over the summer to families with 

children who qualify for free or reduced-price school 

meals. On December 29, 2023, the Interim Final Rule 

(IFR) entitled “Establishing the Summer EBT Program 

and Rural Non-Congregate Option in the Summer 

Meals Program (0584-AE96)” was published on the 

Federal Register website. As of February 16, 2024, 37 

States, District of Columbia, five territories, and four

Tribes have submitted Letters of Intent and Plans of 

Operation and Management to implement Summer 

EBT in 2024, estimated to reach nearly 21 million 

children. USDA expects additional states and Tribes will 

provide Summer EBT in 2025 and is working closely 

with partners to get to nationwide implementation as 

quickly as possible. On January 29, 2024, FNS 

announced that it will provide a higher Summer EBT 

benefit amount for families in Puerto Rico, Guam and 

the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands 

(CNMI), American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, Alaska, 

and Hawaii as compared to the contiguous United 

States due to the higher cost of food. Additional 

actions include:

• The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR): Provides USDA Foods 

to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations and to Native American 

households residing in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. During FY23, 

FNS implemented several enhancements to the FDPIR food package, supporting healthy 

dietary patterns and cultural preferences. These changes were informed by Tribal

feedback and based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans as well as the cost of a 

healthy diet. Specifically, the food package now includes increased amounts of eggs, 

vegetables, and meat/poultry/fish items and added two new foods – frozen 

strawberries and bison stew meat. 

• FDPIR Self-Determination Project: In August 2023, FNS awarded a total of $4.4 million 

to eight Tribal Nations participating in round two of the project, which allows Tribes to 

directly select and purchase foods for the FDPIR food package, instead of USDA selecting 

and purchasing foods. Over the coming years, Tribes will share feedback about their 

projects helping FNS understand impacts on program access, participation, and Tribal 

procurement, ensuring successful implementation.

• Bison Purchase Pilot: FNS has awarded a bison pilot solicitation for the procurement of 

bison from native-owned producers for direct delivery to Indian Tribal Organizations

participating in FDPIR. Deliveries began in November 2023. This pilot responds to 

A WIC participant points to signage and 

speaks to her two young children as they 

shop at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market in Ann 

Arbor, Michigan.
40

feedback from across Indian Country and from small producers by aligning purchase 

timeframes with indigenous informed principles of infrequent animal handling, 

traditional field harvests following a nature-based purchasing calendar and allowing 

either USDA or state inspection. This pilot will also explore smaller packaging and 

purchase orders to meet small- and mid-sized enterprises at scale and exclusively target 

Historically Underutilized Business Zones purchase preferences benefiting economically 

distressed areas, of which all Tribal reservations qualify. All producers announced 

through this pilot operate on Tribal lands.

FNS has also continued to make progress to connect more students with healthy school meals, 

fueling their success in the classroom and beyond, and to support schools in procuring and 

incorporating traditional Indigenous foods. On January 18, 2024, FNS released a RFA for a 

cooperative agreement for Supporting the Use of Traditional Indigenous Foods in the Child 

Nutrition Programs. In FY24, USDA FNS will award $2 million in total funding to up to four 

organizations to provide regionally focused training and technical assistance to school nutrition 

professionals on procurement, preparation, and crediting of traditional Indigenous foods, 

including the use of cooperator and FNS-developed resources and tools. The cooperators, with 

FNS guidance and approval, will also develop culturally relevant nutrition education materials 

for students to accompany the traditional Indigenous foods that are served, and the 

cooperators will train school nutrition professionals and other school staff on providing 

nutrition education to students.

FNS also simplified access to school meals for families by giving an estimated 3,000 more school 

districts in high-need areas the option to serve breakfast and lunch to all students at no cost, 

and allowing more states to do the same with the expansion of direct certification with 

Medicaid. These efforts allow schools to automatically connect students to free or reducedprice school breakfast and lunch meals – without their families filling out an application – by 

using existing data from SNAP, Medicaid, and other income-based program.

USDA must take a cross-departmental approach to support health equity and to help ensure all 

Americans have access to the nutritious foods they need. In addition to reducing barriers to 

access our nutrition programs, USDA is working to promote nutrition security by translating 

research into action. In FY23, ARS and NIFA partnered to establish a pilot Nutrition Hub at the 

1890 institution Southern University in Louisiana as part of USDA’s new Agricultural Science 

Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet (ASCEND) for Better Health. Informed by community 

conversations and launched in partnership with trusted local partners, the Nutrition Hub will be 

an engine for providing science-based, nutrition-related information at the community level, 

particularly in underserved communities disproportionately impacted by diet-related chronic 

diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Future hubs will concentrate their 

efforts on additional high-need communities. USDA will leverage the Nutrition Hub to increase 

the impact of its collective human nutrition research programs, develop more precise sciencebased solutions and resources, and advance the public’s understanding of real-world 

opportunities and challenges around food, nutrition, and diet-related health disparities. 

Through this pilot, USDA is reexamining the food landscape with the goal of ensuring 
41

communities have equitable access to the tailored resources they need to enjoy a healthy 

lifestyle.
42

USDA’s Progress in Advancing Equity for Rural Communities 

Department-wide equity strategy: Promote rural prosperity and economic 

security by connecting business owners to new markets, empowering people 

with modern infrastructure, and supporting community-driven opportunities 

and solutions to build brighter futures in rural America.

USDA is deeply committed to improving the economy and quality of life in rural America and

ensuring all communities can thrive regardless of zip code. The establishment of the

Subcommittee on Rural Community Economic Development (RCED) within a year of the launch

of the Commission was a critical step to ensure rural voices, issues, and solutions could be

elevated and considered by the Department. While the recommendations from this

subcommittee have yet to be formally delivered to the Secretary, USDA has been actively

engaged with the members during public meetings and has been making progress along the

way. The RCED organized its recommendations into three broad categories: How Rural 

Development Operates, How USDA Supports Rural Communities, and How USDA Supports Rural 

Economies. The following examples broadly reflect those groupings.

Both the USDA Equity Action Plan and the Rural Development Equity Action Plan showcase

USDA’s commitment to these issues by outlining actions that are being taken to support 

communities that have been underserved throughout rural America. These actions focus on 

comprehensive measures meant to promote significant, long-term, systemic change. These 

changes, taking into account 14 Equity Commission recommendations, directly benefit 

stakeholders through enhancing localized outreach and technical assistance, increasing 

funding to essential services, and reconsidering our current measures for success to ensure all 

rural America can thrive. 

USDA appreciates the recommendations on how to improve equity in the way Rural 

Development operates. Federal programs often have burdensome and unrealistic 

requirements, including complicated processes, inconsistent rule implementation, and delays. 

The Department acknowledges there has been insufficient outreach in some communities, and 

people without prior knowledge or experience with Rural Development can be unintentionally 

excluded. That is why Rural Development is working to reduce barriers to all our programs. For 

example, in 2023, the agency entered a contract to provide telephone interpretation and 

document translation to assist Rural Development customers who have limited English 

proficiency. 

As the Commission noted, staffing has been a significant challenge. In support of the 

Commission’s recommendation, Rural Development has outlined in their equity action plan to 

provide place-based staff who will serve as navigators of federal development resources and 

assist communities in building smart plans and strong applications. In 2023, Rural 

Development exceeded its hiring goal including additional staff for the Rural Partners Network 

and for high-speed internet and clean energy programs. Rural Development has also made a
43

concerted effort to build up the capacity of the field offices through increased hiring and by 

adding more opportunities for promotion to higher grades in the General Service system to 

attract and retain qualified staff. Rural Development has added a Deputy State Director 

position that participates fully with the Rural Development State Director in formulating and 

implementing Rural Development programs within the State. Through the Department's 

Quarterly Strategic Review process, Rural Development is examining data to better understand 

and address root challenges in staffing. In terms of staffing skillset, USDA appreciates the 

Commission’s recommendations on ways to build trusted relationships with rural 

communities. Rural Development instituted a Tribal Training Program, a virtual staff training 

built around four core principles: trust responsibility, Tribal consultation, Tribal sovereignty, 

and the historic relationship between Tribes and the federal government. 

Working in partnership with rural communities, stakeholders, and stakeholder groups across 

the country are at the core of what Rural Development does. Through partnerships, USDA can 

support solutions to complex and deep-rooted challenges such as receiving program benefits 

on Heirs’ Property and Fractionated Land. With the partnership of a Water and Environmental 

Programs grantee raising concerns for their stakeholders, Rural Development was able to make 

it easier for applicants to establish the required occupancy needed to be eligible for their 

programs. Through these types of collaborations Rural Development can reduce burden for 

customers and help ensure everyone has access to clean and reliable water and waste disposal 

services. 

USDA is partnering with other federal agencies on a number of projects to leverage federal 

resources and tools. In August 2022, Rural Development launched a partnership with the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), several states, and the Tribal Nations of Santo 

Domingo Pueblo and San Carlos Apache, to create the Closing America’s Wastewater Access

Gap Community Initiative. The new initiative is being piloted in 11 communities whose 

residents lack basic wastewater management essential to protecting their health and the 

environment. EPA and USDA are jointly providing technical assistance resources to help 

underserved communities identify and pursue federal funding opportunities—including from 

the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—to address wastewater needs and eliminate harmful 

exposure to backyard sewage by conducting community wastewater assessments. This 

assistance includes developing solutions, identifying and pursuing funding, and building longterm capacity. This partnership is one of the ways USDA promotes a healthy community and 

environment by making sure families and children have clean water and safe sewer systems 

that prevent pollution and runoff. 

USDA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced in November 2023 that 

they were strengthening their partnership to create jobs and economic growth in rural 

America. Through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), USDA and SBA are committing to 

increase investments in small and underserved communities to help grow the rural economy 

and create good-paying jobs for people nationwide. USDA is collaborating with several federal 

agencies including SBA, Department of Treasury, Department of Transportation, Department 

of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, and
44

the EPA on aligning investments in historically underserved communities. 

Further described in the Department’s Equity Action Plan, USDA is taking action to target 

investments into rural areas through a data-driven approach paired with stakeholder 

engagement and agrees with the Commission’s recommendation to grow the Rural Partners

Network (RPN). RPN works to ensure underserved and sparsely populated communities 

receive the support they need. This all-of-government place-based program brings together 

federal agencies and regional commissions to help rural communities expand rural prosperity 

through access to resources, funding to create jobs, build infrastructure, and support longterm economic stability on their own terms. Since its launch in April 2022 and expansion in 

November 2022, it now includes 36 community networks across 10 states and Puerto Rico. It 

also includes $2 billion in loans and grants to help RPN counties access good-paying jobs, 

improved infrastructure, affordable housing, and quality health care. The funding will support 

111 projects across Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico, North 

Carolina, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Puerto Rico. We are placing additional federal staff on 

the ground to clarify local priorities, assist communities in navigating programming, connect to 

assistance providers and funders, and develop strong applications. 

Gary Magrino, the Director of Business Development for the Cocopah Tribe, poses for a photo at the Cocopah 

Museum on the Cocopah Reservation near Yuma, AZ. The Cocopah Tribe have a solar power project that with the

help of the Rural Partners Network (RPN). 

USDA appreciates the Commission’s recommendation on ways to use technology to increase

access to Rural Development programs. Rural Development is taking action to modernize and 

improve the customer experience for our all our stakeholder by working to ensure data and

evidence are embedded into program design and delivery. In February 2023, Rural 

Development launched the Rural Data Gateway. With 20 new integrated Rural Investment 

Dashboards and visualizations, the Gateway makes more than a decade of Rural Development’s

investment history instantly accessible to the public. Its simple interface allows users to easily
45

sift through obligations data from more than 65 of the loan, grant, and loan guarantee

programs Rural Development administers. The dashboards highlight potentially underserved

areas. Rural Data Gateway information is updated monthly and can be downloaded. Rural 

Development’s field offices are using specialized data mapping and outreach tools to engage

the most socially vulnerable, distressed, and underserved communities across rural America.

Additionally, to help support Americans find and better access the programs they need, a 

recent update to Rural.gov included an enhanced search feature that prescribes program

offerings across the federal government based on the nature of the customer and the needs.

Through the Creating Opportunities Through Rural Engagement Program (CORE), Rural 

Development is leveraging lessons learned from new technology and data tools to conduct 

targeted engagements with CORE communities that have not received funding from field-based

programs in the last 5-years to better understand why, and target investments. To date, Rural

Development has engaged over 600 communities and has invested more than $350 million

through a variety of Rural Development programs.

Rural Development is also working to give farmers and rural communities relief through clean

energy that will lower energy bills and reduce pollution. Consistent with the direction from

Congress, USDA has allocated all Inflation Reduction Act funds, which total nearly $38 billion

over 10 years, for spending under programs that invest in communities and producers

nationwide. Demand from rural communities for USDA’s clean energy support is very strong. 

USDA appreciates the Commission’s recommendations to consider a “whole of household”

approach to community development and is committed to the breadth of services and 

programs to support rural communities. USDA is investing in rural housing, including 

underserved communities. RD is committed to helping people stay in their own home and 

keep them in good repair. Homeownership helps families and individuals build savings over 

time, supporting families and their communities. 

Through programs like the 502 Direct Loan Program and the 504 Grant Program, there is a

path to homeownership for low- and very-low-income families living in rural areas, and families

who have no other way to make affordable homeownership a reality. RHS uses cooperative

agreements and collaborative partnerships to market/train and help identify potential 502/504

direct loan and grant applicants. Providing these affordable homeownership opportunities

promotes prosperity, which in turn creates thriving communities and improves the quality of 

life in rural areas. USDA will consider the Commission’s recommendation to modify aspects of

these programs. Through the Single-Family Home Repair Loans & Grants in Presidentially

Declared Disasters Pilot program, over $55 million will be provided to loan and grant recipients

that considered very-low-income homeowners to repair disaster related damage caused to

their homes. Additionally, the Native Community Development Financial Institution (Native

CDFI) Relending Demonstration Program is designed to improve homeownership opportunities

for Native American Tribes, Alaska Native Communities, and Native Hawaiian Communities in

rural areas. Program funds provide direct loans to recipients to buy, build, rehabilitate,

improve, or relocate a primary residence on eligible Tribal land. In 2023, the program was
46

expanded to fund a total of nine Native CDFIs to improve homeownership opportunities for 

Tribal community members. 

The Department’s equity action to continue to work towards 100% connectivity highlights 

USDA’s agreement with the Commission that 

broadband services are essential to rural prosperity. 

USDA has been expanding broadband services

nationwide access through the ReConnect 

Program. This program provides loans, grants, and 

loan-grant combinations to bring high-speed internet 

to rural areas that lack sufficient access to 

broadband. In FY22, in the program’s third round of 

funding, RD authorized 100% grants (without 

matching requirements) for Alaska Native 

Corporations, Tribal Governments, Colonias, 

Persistent Poverty Areas, and Socially Vulnerable 

Communities. For the fourth round, an additional nomatch funding category was added in August 2022

for projects where 90% of households lack sufficient 

access to broadband. Scoring of applications 

emphasizes equity. 

When determining the areas which are eligible to 

receive funding under the USDA’s 

Telecommunications Programs, USDA assesses the 

level of service that is available at the household level. This approach ensures this 

determination is done at a granular level and does not rely on census tracts. More granular 

information is now available from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) through the 

Broadband Availability Map and Broadband Funding Map which were both published this last 

year and provide information for each Broadband Serviceable Location which is defined as a 

residential or business location where fixed broadband internet access service is or can be 

installed, as determined by the FCC.

USDA has also been investing in rural community facilities and essential services across the 

country as well as Puerto Rico and Guam. In 2022, over $1 billion of investments to nearly 800 

projects in infrastructure funding went to increase access to health care, education and public 

safety while spurring community development and building sound infrastructure for people 

living in rural communities. These programs include Community Facilities Direct Loans and 

Grants, Community Facilities Loan Guarantees, Community Facilities Technical Assistance 

Training Grants, Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and Economic Impact Initiative 

Grants. For example:

Expanding Broadband

In June 2023, the Department 

announced $714 million in grants 

and loans to connect thousands 

of rural residents, farmers, and 

business owners in 19 states to 

reliable, affordable high-speed 

internet. The Department also 

announced $20 million to help 

rural communities access 

broadband technical assistance 

resources and support for the 

development and expansion of 

broadband cooperatives. 

• In Alabama, Medical West Hospital Authority will use $360 million in Community 

Facilities program funding to build a state-of-the-art, 200-bed hospital. This hospital will 
47

feature a 26-room emergency department, 12 operating rooms, eight labor and delivery 

rooms, and eight multi-purpose rooms. This 405,186- square-foot facility will be 

strategically located to serve rural west Jefferson County, rural west Tuscaloosa County 

and other surrounding rural communities. This project will benefit approximately 

333,000 rural people in these communities.

• In Iowa, the city of Sabula is receiving a $225,000 Community Facilities Disaster Grant to 

purchase a fire tanker/pumper truck. The city’s current pumper truck is nearly 20 years 

old, beyond its useful life and has expired equipment. This project will help the city 

purchase a new truck and new equipment to improve fire protection services for the 

city’s 576 residents.

• In Michigan, Munising Memorial Hospital will use a $63,000 Economic Impact Initiative 

Grant to purchase a mobile x-ray room. The medical equipment will include a computer 

interface and processing software, as well as the automatic transfer of patient 

information and reports. This equipment will benefit more than 9,600 rural people. 

Additionally, USDA has been expanding access to healthcare in rural communities. Emergency 

Rural Health Care Grants (ERHC) to provide immediate relief to support rural hospitals, health 

care clinics and local communities. Rural Development has announced more than $488 million 

to 724 facilities to support rural health care and nutrition assistance. These investments 

expanded access to critical health care facilities for more than 22 million people across 39 

states. As a result of these investments, regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits, and 

Tribes will be able to address rural health care challenges, building a more sustainable rural 

health care system for small towns and communities across the nation and work to ensure 

every person and family has access to high-quality health care. 

The Commission’s recommendations related to financing for Native agriculture producers

brings to light how communities can still face barriers in accessing affordable capital through 

USDA’s existing programs. To address some of these challenges, USDA has invested over $86 

million in more than 200 projects to improve infrastructure, housing, and economic conditions 

for underserved, rural, and Native American communities. USDA is making in six programs 

specifically designed to help people and businesses in rural areas. These programs 

include Tribal College Initiative Grants, Rural Community Development Initiative 

Grants, Housing Preservation Grants, Delta Health Care Grants, Socially Disadvantaged Groups 

Grants and Water and Waste Disposal Grants. The projects will benefit hundreds of thousands 

of people in 42 states, Puerto Rico, and the Marshall Islands. The investments also include more 

than $19 million to help low-income and very low-income residents in every part of the country 

repair and rehabilitate their homes. Examples of these investments include:

• The Keystone Development Corp. in Lancaster, Pa., is receiving a $173,288 Socially 

Disadvantaged Groups Grant to provide business development technical assistance. It 

will support women who own agricultural cooperatives that grow flowers and various 

types of fibers. The project is expected to help 25 women farmers in three counties in 

Pennsylvania and five counties in New Jersey.
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• Central Florida’s Habitat for Humanity/Lake-Sumter is receiving a $351,135 Housing 

Preservation Grant to help 42 low- and very low-income people make health and safety 

repairs to their homes. These investments will support healthier and happier lives for all 

42 homeowners.

• The Skagway Development Corp. in Alaska is receiving a $121,825 Rural Community 

Development Initiative grant to help small businesses develop five-year growth and 

operating plans. It will provide the services to businesses with 50 or fewer employees 

and less than $1 million in gross revenues. This investment will help new entrepreneurs 

and small business owners succeed and create jobs in their communities.

• Minnesota’s Red Lake Nation College is receiving a $175,448 Tribal College Initiative 

Grant to purchase computers, a 15-passenger van and lawn maintenance equipment. 

The college will replace the 30 computers in the learning center and computer lab, and 

32 assigned to faculty and staff.

Cooperatives serve as one of our most important partners in delivering critical goods and 

services to rural communities. USDA has invested more than $1.2 billion in loans and grants to 

spur economic development, catalyze rural prosperity, and advance equity through rural 

cooperatives in 36 states and Puerto Rico. USDA is making the investments through a suite of 

business, utilities and cooperative programs and services such as the Business and Industry 

Loan Guarantee Program, Electric Infrastructure Loan and Loan Guarantee Program, Food 

Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program, Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program, Rural 

Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant 

Program, and Value-Added Producer Grant Program. Examples include:

• In the West, EHC Bullhead City LP is receiving a $10 million Business and Industry Loan 

Guarantee to build a micro-hospital and urgent care facility in Bullhead City, Mohave 

County, Arizona. The facility will increase the availability of the emergency room, urgent 

care, and hospital services in this rural community and create 40 jobs.

• In the Midwest, Wayne-White Counties Electric Coop Inc. is receiving a $93,600 Rural 

Economic Development Loan to allow the Union Drainage District in Illinois to replace its 

old, inefficient drainage water pump and diesel motor. This investment will help protect 

over 9,000 acres of farmland from flood waters and make the agriculture economy 

more resilient to climate change.

• In the North, Keystone Development Center (KDC) Inc. is receiving a $200,000 Rural 

Cooperative Development Grant to improve the economic condition and quality of life 

of rural communities in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland. This 

investment will help KDC host the Cooperative Academy and support the development 

of at least 17 cooperative projects.

• In the South, the Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance is receiving a $175,000 Socially 

Disadvantaged Group Grant to assist small socially disadvantaged groups in farm 

business plans, leadership development, and strategic planning outreach activities that

will enhance agricultural enterprises for 75 producers from six counties located in rural 

northeast Mississippi.
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Through the Justice40 Initiative covered programs Rural Energy for America Program (REAP),

the Department announced in August 2023 that it is awarding $266 million in loans and grants

to agriculture producers and rural small businesses to make investments in renewable energy

and energy efficiency improvements that will lower their energy costs, generate new income,

and strengthen the resilience of their operation. The award was made possible with funding

from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Through REAP, USDA is also lowering energy costs for rural business owners and agricultural

producers. In July 2023, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service announced $21 million in

technical assistance grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses access

federal funds for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. This investment is

part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America Agenda to help agricultural 

producers and rural small businesses transform rural power production and spur economic

growth.

USDA Invests to Improve Renewal Energy Infrastructure. Under the Rural Energy Pilot

Program (REPP) Rural Development has granted $10 million to support solutions to address

high energy costs and pollution through renewable energy systems. A portion of the awarded 

funds may also be used for community energy planning, capacity building, technical 

assistance including efficiency improvements and weatherization to help rural and 

underserved communities.
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Next Steps for USDA Equity

At the 2023 Administrative Conference in Washington D.C., Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) employees and 

stakeholders gathered from around the world to discuss the future of global agriculture.

USDA celebrates the significant progress made to advance equity for all while recognizing that 

this work is ongoing and requires continued commitment to ensure support, especially for the 

people who need it the most. 

To that end, USDA plans to continue implementing the 32 recommendations from the Equity

Commission’s Interim Report and to begin implementing the additional 34 recommendations

from the Equity Commission’s Final Report released in February 2024. Through the strategies in 

the Department’s Equity Action Plan and agency action plans, the Department has a clear path 

forward towards advancing equity, focusing on improving the customer experience and 

strengthening the USDA workforce and operations. USDA is committed to measure and

communicate progress along the way. 

USDA thanks the Equity Commission for contributing significantly to the goal of advancing 

equity for all and look forward to continued engagement with the Commission and key 

stakeholders to achieve this vision.