Brown Blasts Trump Assault on USDA Programs Supporting Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11), Vice Ranking Member on the House Committee on Agriculture releases the following statement in response to the Trump Administration ending the “socially disadvantaged” designation for USDA grants and programs:

“Trump’s resegregation agenda has arrived at USDA. It’s no secret that the Department has a long history of locking out and leaving behind Black, Brown, and Indigenous farmers. Now, this administration is taking a deliberate and disgraceful step backward on the path to attempt to right the historic wrongs. The ‘socially disadvantaged’ designation was a long overdue recognition of the barriers to land, credit, and opportunity that farmers of color have faced for generations.

“This move isn’t about fairness or efficiency. It’s about erasing history and stripping the tools that help level the playing field. 

“USDA must be held accountable, and Congress must act to protect the farmers this country has long ignored.”

Following legislation passed by Congress in 1990, the USDA has defined socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as including African Americans, American Indians or Alaskan natives, Hispanics, and Asians or Pacific Islanders. This designation has been continued across multiple Farm Bills since the 1990s. 

The socially disadvantaged designation has applied to the Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program) and to loan forgiveness programs established by the American Rescue Plan. 

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