USDA’s DEI Purge How Trump and Rollins are reshaping American agriculture
As the USDA rolls back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, RSS Members Michaela Hoffelmeyer and Ike Leslie are sounding the alarm on the long-term consequences for agriculture and food security.
By cutting off support for minority farmers could create more barriers to those interested in agriculture, said RSS Member Michaela Hoffelmeyer, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who has studied the agricultural workforce.
“It’s counterintuitive to not invest in this group of farmers because these people are farmers, first and foremost, regardless of their race, gender, sexuality,” Hoffelmeyer said. “I think it does raise some questions about if we’re really supporting all farmers and what that means long-term for our food supply.”