by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors
Plaintiffs argue the USDA violated federal law and due process protections when it abruptly revoked grant agreements.
More than two dozen organizations that support Black farmers and other underserved agricultural producers have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), alleging the agency unlawfully canceled more than $127 million in previously awarded grants.
The USDA has defended broader funding cuts by arguing that some programs relied on diversity, equity and inclusion criteria that the agency believes are inconsistent with current federal priorities. The agency has also moved to eliminate race- and sex-based considerations in several agricultural programs following legal challenges and policy changes under the Trump administration.
The dispute highlights long-standing tensions surrounding federal agricultural assistance and racial equity in farming. Black farmers have historically faced discrimination in access to loans, land, and federal support programs, leading to decades of legal battles with the USDA. Today, Black-owned farms represent less than 2% of U.S. farming operations, according to The Grio.
A court decision on the plaintiffs’ request for preliminary relief could determine whether the canceled funding will be restored while the broader case proceeds.
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Source: Black Enterprise
