Background on equity and inclusion

: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Area Director Nivory Gordon, Jr. and His father Nivory Gordon Sr. (USDA Photo by Preston Keres)

In this section we are sharing resources relating to the experiences of diverse and underserved communities and how inequity and exclusionary practices have shaped conservation, farming, landscapes, and communities. These resources are just a starting place: the best way to learn about the specific needs, interests, and priorities of communities is by listening directly to community members in your area and the community-based groups that serve them.

"The term equity means the consistent and systematic treatment of all individuals in a fair, just, and impartial manner, including individuals who belong to communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Island persons and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; women and girls; LGBTQI+ persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; persons who live in United States Territories; persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and individuals who belong to multiple such communities." USDA.gov

Article: Racial Equity in the Farm Bill

Article describing the barriers for farmers of color as related to the Farm Bill and other policies

Podcast: The Land of Our Fathers, Part I

More than a century and a half after the promise of 40 acres and a mule, the story of Black land ownership in America remains one of loss and dispossession. This 30-minute podcast explores how policies and practices have shaped Black farming and land ownership.

Podcast: The Land of Our Fathers, Part II

40-minute podcast that explores how prejudice and racism shaped agricultural loan programs in the U.S. and how it affects Black farmers today. June and Angie Provost, who trace their family line to the enslaved workers on Louisiana’s sugar-cane plantations, know this story well.

Report: Supporting Native Ecological Stewardship and Land Protection

This report from the First Nations Development Institute shares outcomes and activities associated with Native American ecological stewardship and protection of Native lands. It also identifies issues and key takeaways affecting Native communities’ natural resource management and protection.