The Sconi

Glenn Grothman, Representative of Wisconsin, said that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies should cease penalizing farmers based on race and instead provide equal support to all agricultural workers. The statement was made on X.

"I'm proud to join the Wisconsin delegation in urging the USDA to end the Biden-era programs and policies that unfairly discriminate against farmers based on race," said Grothman. "No matter their background, farmers should be supported, not penalized on the basis of race. It's time for the USDA to follow President Trump's orders to end racially discriminatory policies in the executive branch."

Under the Biden administration, the USDA introduced several race-based support initiatives, including $4 billion in debt relief and $1 billion in outreach funding for socially disadvantaged farmers through the 2021 American Rescue Plan. However, as reported by the Washington Post, the USDA under former President Trump reversed this course, encouraging grantees to omit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)-related language to streamline funding approvals. These contrasting approaches have intensified political debates over the federal government’s role in addressing historical discrimination in agriculture.

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, data from 2022 indicated that non-Hispanic Black farmers received an average of $7,774 in federal payments, while non-Hispanic White farmers received $16,417. The same report highlighted that only 10–18% of socially disadvantaged farms accessed USDA payments compared to 26% of White-operated farms. These figures underscore persistent disparities in the distribution of federal agricultural support.

Following Biden-era DEI initiatives, minority farmers experienced modest gains in federal agricultural aid. As reported by The Guardian, these improvements are now at risk due to policy reversals under the Trump administration targeting race-based funding for elimination. Advocates warn that this regression may exacerbate longstanding systemic barriers faced by Black and other minority farmers.

Congressman Grothman has represented Wisconsin’s 6th District since 2015 and currently serves on the House Committees on Oversight and Education. According to his official biography and reporting by the Wisconsin State Journal, he has consistently opposed DEI policies, advocating instead for merit-based systems across government programs, including agriculture. Grothman’s legislative focus includes education reform, welfare oversight, and reducing regulatory burdens on farmers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), founded in 1862, plays a central role in shaping federal farm policy and ensuring food security. According to its official mission statement, the USDA aims to promote agricultural innovation, support rural economies, and deliver nutrition programs. In recent years, the USDA has launched DEI efforts to improve access for underserved groups; however, these programs are now under reevaluation due to changing political priorities.