TL/DR –
In 2025, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) removed programs aimed at addressing racial disparities in agricultural loans and other forms of support for Black farmers. The policy change came during President Donald Trump’s administration, which argued for a race-neutral approach and opposed “discriminatory racial and gender preferences” at the USDA. This action reversed previous efforts to compensate farmers who faced racial discrimination, leaving Black farmers without a viable means to access federal funding to maintain their businesses; this exacerbated existing inequalities as data shows that socially disadvantaged agriculture producers have fewer financial resources, lower median household income, and face greater financial challenges compared to white farmers.
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Black Farmers Face Uncertain Future Following USDA Program Rollbacks
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
Elvin and Madeline Eaton, recognized as the 2025 North Carolina Small Farmers of the Year, are among many Black farmers facing an uncertain future following the demise of federal programs designed to address the previous discrimination they faced in areas such as loan access.
Effects of Race-Neutral Policies
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented race-neutral policies instigated by President Donald Trump, which resulted in the elimination of programs meant to rectify the past discrimination experienced by Black farmers. Particularly, in July, the USDA discarded requirements for the use of discriminatory racial and gender preferences in programs unless mandated by Congress.
A year before the implementation of these policies, Black farmers had started receiving payments from the $2.2 billion Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, initiated by President Joe Biden. This program was part of the Inflation Reduction Act Section 22007, which Biden signed two years prior to authorize compensation for farmers who had encountered racial discrimination in USDA’s farm lending practices before 2021.
An estimated 43,000 farmers received payments of up to $500,000, with an average award of $82,000. However, this program was eventually cancelled by the Trump administration.
Gbinga Ajilor, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, D.C., and a USDA senior advisor for rural development during the Biden administration, stated, “This was … one of the major endeavors that we worked on in terms of – really trying to help Black farmers out, knowing – to put it plain – the racist history of USDA and how they’ve impacted black farmers for over decades.”
Political Reaction and Implications
Politically, the shift towards race neutrality has been hailed by Republicans, while Democrats accused the administration of reviving the centuries-old bias that Black farmers have had to grapple with. According to U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, “I was appalled and disappointed to learn that the USDA is no longer taking remediation steps for race- and sex-based discrimination in farm lending, conservation grants, loans, and other programs.”
USDA data reveals that socially disadvantaged agriculture producers have fewer financial resources, earn less, and operate smaller farms compared to their white counterparts. Before Trump’s return to the White House, Black farmers had made modest progress in addressing these disparities.
Previous Settlements and Future Possibilities
In 2022, the National Black Farmers Association filed a class action lawsuit claiming Black farmers had lost $326 billion in land value due to discrimination. Previous settlements for Black farmers included payouts of $1 billion in 1999 and $1.25 billion in 2013. Similar agreements were struck with Hispanic and women farmers, Native Americans, and tribal landowners.
Despite the closure of race-aware programs, there is potential for congressional action. U.S. Rep. Don Davis introduced a couple of bills last year aimed at expanding access to federal resources and easing farm succession. “We’re committed to ensuring rural communities have the tools they need to grow, thrive, and prepare for the future,” said Davis.
Local Efforts and Events
North Carolina A&T State University’s cooperative extension program launched Small Farms Week in 1975 to recognize producers – particularly those in small communities with limited resources – and educate the public about their contributions to the state’s $111 billion agriculture economy. The 40th annual Small Farms Week, scheduled for March, will include workshops and the 2026 Small Farmers of the Year announcement.
Despite the challenges, Ajilore believes Black farmers will carry on. “I tend to be somewhat optimistic about this, that there’s always going to be people who want to farm…It’s more than just ‘we want to make money.’ There’s a calling to that. There’s always going to be people hear that calling, but the issue is can we make it not difficult for them to do it, to be able to engage with it.”
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