The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has canceled grants that were intended to help farmers secure land.

Politico reports about $300 million in federal aid was awarded to tribes, farmer associations, and universities starting in 2023 through the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program. It was established to “help underserved producers by increasing land, capital, and market access,” according to the USDA.

Created under the Inflation Reduction Act and the American Rescue Plan Act during the Biden administration, per Civil Eats, the program led to approximately $300 million in five-year contracts awarded to roughly 50 projects across the nation.

Those who sought the funding were nonprofits, tribal governments, and other organizations that applied to support underserved farmers. The primary goal was to support Black, Indigenous, and immigrant farmers, as well as veterans and other groups facing land access issues, per Politico.

In March, 49 contracts were terminated under the Trump administration, Civil Eats reports. Farm Service Agency Associate Administrator Steven Peterson stated in the termination letters that he believes the grants are discriminatory and “unacceptably exposed taxpayers” to waste, according to the outlet.

“USDA will prioritize unity, equality, meritocracy, and color-blindness in furtherance of the Department’s mission,” Peterson said in a March 23 letter, per Politico.

In a letter signed last year by Brooke L. Rollins, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she noted that the department does not, and will no longer fund, discriminatory practices, including “in the form of DEI,” that contradict the law or the department’s objectives.

John Boyd, president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, told TheGrio, “They don’t want Black people to participate in these programs. This is an administration that wants a white-only America.”
The National Black Farmers Association represents 116,000 Black Farmers, the outlet reports. Boyd also notes white farmers’ groups have an “open door policy” with the USDA and the White House, while he and other Black farmers are excluded from meetings and conversations.
He described the department’s action as “deplorable” when speaking to TheGrio.
“The system isn’t set up for us, and they’re working with these white groups,” he expressed.
The cancellation of federal aid comes at a time when 190 farm foreclosure cases involving Black-owned farmers are pending, as they “can’t meet some sort of financial obligation,” such as mortgage loans or equipment loans, per TheGrio.
Organizations impacted can appeal within 30 days. Some are considering legal action, Civil Eats reports.