The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the members of the newly established Equity Commission and its Subcommittee on Agriculture. The Commission will hold its first public meeting on February 28, 2022. As authorized and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the launch of the independent Commission delivers on President Biden’s commitment to create an independent Equity Commission and provide it with the necessary resources to support its mission to address historical discrimination at USDA. The launch of the Commission follows the one-year anniversary of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order On Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.
As part of the application and selection process, USDA sought members who can share the voice and experiences of farmers, ranchers, and farmworker groups, people of color, women, Tribal and Indigenous communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited English proficiency, rural communities, and LGBTQI+ communities. Other important perspectives included those from the small business community and higher education institutions, among others.
More details on each member and about the first Equity Commission meeting can be found at www.usda.gov/equity-commission.