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Equity Commission Final Report

In acknowledgement of USDA’s commitment to equity since President Biden’s Executive Order 13985 in January 2021, the Equity Commission recognizes the progress made to further advance equity at USDA. The Equity Commission and its Agriculture and Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittees appreciates the opportunity to provide recommendations to support this effort by USDA and is pleased to share 66 recommendations in its Final Report published February 2024, two years after its inception.

Reports


 

Shaping Change at USDA

In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture launched the Equity Commission (EC) to provide recommendations to the Secretary that would address racial equity issues in its programs and services and strengthen accountability within USDA.

Participants in the Equity Commission meeting

 

Equity Commission Informing Change

As an independent body with 41 Commission and Subcommittee members, the Equity Commission analyzed how USDA’s programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. In February 2024, EC members published the Final Report which provided 66 total recommendations.

Using this information, USDA is taking action to ensure the Department’s programs, services, and decisions reflect the values of equity and inclusion. This action will create an organizational culture that supports, reinforces, and aims to ensure equal access to resources, closes the racial wealth gap, and addresses the longstanding inequities.

The USDA Equity Commission

BackgroundCommission MembersReports

 
 

Equity Commission Meetings

The Equity Commission will meet up to four times each year, either virtually or face-to-face. All Equity Commission meetings are open to the public.

An Equity Commission meeting
October 24-26, 2023

The sixth public meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee and Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee was held October 24-26, 2023. It was a hybrid meeting conducted in person and via Zoom. Written comments will be accepted through Friday, November 10 at 11:59 pm and will be included in the meeting minutes.

June 27-29, 2023

The fifth public meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee and Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee was held June 27-29, 2023. It was a hybrid meeting conducted in person and via Zoom. Written comments will be accepted through Friday, July 14 at 11:59 pm and will be included in the meeting minutes.

January 31 - February 2, 2023

The fourth public meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee and Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee was held January 31 - February 2, 2023. It was a hybrid meeting conducted in person and via Zoom.

Federal Register Notice

Agenda (PDF, 394 KB)

USDA Hosts the Equity Commission Fourth Meeting Flickr album

Meeting Slides (PPTX, 10.8 MB)

January 31 - February 2 Public Written Comments (PDF, 25.5 MB)

Equity Commission Fourth Public Meeting - Day 1

Equity Commission Fourth Public Meeting - Day 2

Equity Commission Fourth Public Meeting - Day 3

Meeting Minutes (PDF, 1.3 MB)

September 21-22, 2022

The third public meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee and Rural Community Economic Development Subcommittee was held September 21-22, 2022. It was a hybrid meeting conducted in person and via Zoom.

Agenda (PDF, 261 KB)

Equity Commission Third Public Meeting - Day 1

Presentation for Third Public Meeting - Day 1 (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Presentation for Compilation of Historical Recommendations (PDF, 3.8 MB)

Equity Commission Third Public Meeting - Day 2

September 2022 Public Written Comments (PDF, 1.0 MB)

USDA Equity Commission Public Meeting at University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

USDA Hosts the Equity Commission Flickr album

Meeting Minutes (PDF, 885 KB)

May 10-11, 2022

The second public meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee was held May 10 - 11, 2022. It was a hybrid meeting conducted in person and via Zoom.

Agenda (PDF, 141 KB)

Meeting Minutes (PDF, 1.0 MB)

Meeting Slides (PDF, 1.9 MB)

Zoom Chat Comments (PDF, 251 KB)

Presentation on Farm Workers (PPTX, 71.7 MB)

Flickr Album

Tribal Consultation Papers (Referenced and Distributed during the Meeting)

USDA Equity Commission Virtual Meeting - May 10th Recording

USDA Equity Commission Virtual Meeting - May 11th Recording

Federal Register Notice

May 2022 Written Public Comments (PDF, 12.3 MB)

February 28, 2022

The inaugural meeting of the Equity Commission (EC or Commission) and its Agriculture Subcommittee was held virtually on February 28, 2022. Members of the public who registered by February 21st had the opportunity to sign up to provide oral comments during the meeting. Members of the public were also invited to submit written comments in their registration form and via email to equitycommission@usda.gov. The public comment period was open until March 15, 2022. All meeting materials, including public comments, are posted below.

Meeting Agenda (PDF, 65.9 KB)

Meeting Slides (PDF, 858 KB)

Meeting Minutes (PDF, 543 KB)

Written Comments (PDF, 26.7 MB)

Zoom Chat Comments (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Meeting Recording

Missing media item.
 

 


Contact

Questions
EquityCommission@usda.gov

Media Inquiries
Press@usda.gov