In a decisive step toward fairness, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under Secretary Brooke Rollins, has eliminated programs that prioritized “socially disadvantaged” groups, a term rooted in the 1990 Farm Bill to describe farmers subjected to discrimination, including Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian groups. Critics of these programs, including many White farmers, have long argued they foster reverse discrimination, unfairly sidelining the majority of American farmers—predominantly White—who form the backbone of the nation’s agriculture. This policy shift, driven by President Trump’s executive orders to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates, is a necessary correction to ensure equal treatment for all farmers, regardless of race or sex. It’s time to recognize the universal struggles of farmers and stop scapegoating White producers for systemic issues they didn’t create.
The Universal Hardship of Farming
American farmers, regardless of background, face a gauntlet of challenges that threaten their livelihoods and the nation’s food security. Steep tariffs, volatile commodity prices, and extreme weather events like wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts have battered the industry. For instance, grain farmers are projected to lose money as production costs outstrip current prices, while retaliatory tariffs from Trump’s first term cost farmers $27 billion, with small operations hit hardest. The cancellation of programs like the USDA’s Climate-Smart initiative and $1 billion in local food purchase funding for schools and food banks has left farmers like John Bartman in Illinois owed thousands for sustainable practices, unable to pay off loans or cover seed and chemical costs.
Immigration policies targeting undocumented workers, who make up 42% of U.S. farm labor, have created labor shortages, forcing crops to rot in fields as workers fear Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The exodus of over 1,300 USDA staff, including Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) workers, has raised fears of vulnerability to pests and diseases like avian influenza, which culled 30 million hens in 2025, spiking egg prices. Add to this the rising costs of equipment, land, and livestock, and it’s clear farmers are in a precarious position, with 10% of rural bankers expecting farm incomes to decline further in 2025.
The Myth of White Privilege in Agriculture
White farmers, who represent the majority of the nation’s 3.3 million producers, are often unfairly portrayed as privileged beneficiaries of a rigged system. Yet, the reality of farming is far from glamorous. Small-scale farmers, many of whom are White, struggle with the same boom-and-bust cycles as their minority counterparts, compounded by market consolidation favoring corporate giants like Tyson Foods and JBS, which gobbled up $107 million in federal contracts during Trump’s first-term tariff bailout. The 2018-2019 bailout itself was skewed, with the top 1% of recipients—often mega-farms—receiving $183,331 on average, while 80% of farmers, mostly smaller operations, got less than $5,000.
The USDA’s former “socially disadvantaged” designation, intended to address historical discrimination, often excluded White farmers from critical resources, even when they faced identical economic and environmental hardships. For example, Adam Faust, a White dairy farmer from Wisconsin, sued the Trump administration, alleging discrimination in programs like the Dairy Margin Coverage Program and Loan Guarantee Program, which offered preferential terms to women and farmers of color. Such policies fueled resentment, as White farmers—who make up the majority of producers through no fault of their own—felt punished for their race rather than supported for their contributions.
White Farmers: The Backbone of American Agriculture
White farmers have historically been the backbone of American agriculture, not because of systemic favoritism but due to demographic realities and generational land ownership. According to the Census of Agriculture, they constitute about 96% of U.S. farmers, producing the bulk of the nation’s crops and livestock that feed not only Americans but also millions worldwide through programs like USAID, which purchased $1 billion in grain for hungry nations before its cancellation. This isn’t a matter of privilege—it’s a matter of numbers and hard work. These farmers endure grueling labor, financial uncertainty, and the whims of global markets, all while facing criticism for their very existence.
The USDA’s decision to drop race- and sex-based criteria aligns with the principle of meritocracy, ensuring programs are accessible based on need, not identity. As Secretary Rollins stated, “It is simply wrong and contrary to the fundamental principle that all persons should be treated equally.” The agency argues it has “sufficiently” addressed past discrimination through settlements like the Pigford case, which paid over $1 billion to Black farmers, though mismanagement left many claims unfulfilled.
A Call for Unity and Support
The USDA’s policy shift is not about erasing history but about leveling the playing field. Black farmers, like Jocelyn Germany of Farm School NYC, have voiced legitimate concerns about funding cuts, with their consortium facing a $1.2 million gap. But these cuts stem from broader fiscal challenges, not targeted malice. All farmers—White, Black, Hispanic, or otherwise—deserve support tailored to their shared struggles, not divisive programs that pit one group against another. The USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan, announced in July 2025, prioritizes protecting American agriculture from foreign threats and bolstering market access, as seen in recent trade wins with Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam.
White farmers should not be vilified for their role in feeding the world. They deserve respect, not accusations of inherent bias. The USDA’s move to end “socially disadvantaged” programs is a step toward fairness, recognizing that all farmers face hardship in an industry vital to national security. It’s time to unite behind policies that uplift every farmer, ensuring American agriculture thrives for generations to come.