USDA Commission Issues Report on Racial Equity in Farming

USDA Commission , Issues Report on , Racial Equity in Farming .

NPR reports that the United States Department of Agriculture's Equity Commission has released its first report on over 30 recommendations to make farming more equitable.

The report is the product of a Biden executive order calling for federal departments to address racial equity.

.

Outgoing Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh and United Farm Workers President Emeritus Arturo Rodriguez headed the commission.

We didn't want this set of interim recommendations to look like things we've seen in previous reports.

We wanted to get at systemic change, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.

NPR reports that a final report is expected by the end of 2023.

The group's recommendations reportedly include making it easier for farmers to qualify for conservation programs and making Farm Service Agency loans more accessible.

There's a reason why this is different.

We have very serious people around this table, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.

People that have lived experiences, people who have studied and dedicated their life to these issues and it would be disrespectful for us not to take this work incredibly seriously, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, via NPR.

NPR reports that the commission's 32 recommendations cover how USDA works with farmers, the structure of the department itself and other programs like nutrition assistance.

The report also recommends supporting congressional legislation, conducting research on distribution within programs and increasing language access.

The report also recommends supporting congressional legislation, conducting research on distribution within programs and increasing language access