USDA Ends Use of Race and Sex in Farm Benefit Eligibility

The Department of Agriculture will no longer consider a farmer’s race or sex in determining eligibility for benefits in many of its farm loan, commodity, and conservation programs, the agency said in a regulatory note. On July 10, the Department of Agriculture published a final rule that ends the agency’s decades-long use of the “socially disadvantaged” designation. The designation was aimed at addressing historic discrimination against farmers of color and women. The rule is effective immediately. A broad range of USDA programs are affected, including farm loan programs, conservation efforts, disaster relief, and rural development initiatives. Benefits for beginning and veteran farmers remain in place, but race and sex will no longer be considered when awarding aid....