The Federal Register Notice is another important step towards fully implementing President Biden’s commitment to create an Equity Commission and the American Rescue Plan Act provision that directs USDA to “address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector… [through] one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs.”

“The Rural Community Economic Subcommittee (RCED) will be crucial to addressing issues of persistent poverty in rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We are committed to giving each recommendation the Equity Commission makes full consideration in an effort to implement systemic, lasting change. This work is long overdue and will set the foundation for generations to come.”

“USDA’s Equity Commission has hit the ground running since it first convened in February,” said Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh, who serves as Co-Chair of the Equity Commission. “The work of this subcommittee will be invaluable to the commission as we seek to provide recommendations on how underserved rural communities can obtain equity access to USDA programs. I am hopeful that the work of this commission and subcommittee will identify ways to break down barriers and increase the public’s access to, and trust in, USDA’s programs and services.”

The Equity Commission will advise the Secretary of Agriculture by identifying USDA programs, policies, systems, structures, and practices that contribute to barriers to inclusion or access, systemic discrimination, or exacerbate or perpetuate racial, economic, health and social disparities. The Subcommittee on Agriculture was formed concurrently and will report back to the Equity Commission and provide recommendations on issues of concern related to agriculture. This new RCED Subcommittee will be charged with providing recommendations on issues and concerns related to rural development, persistent poverty, and underserved communities. The Equity Commission will deliver an interim report and provide actionable recommendations by September 2022. A final report will be generated by the summer of 2023.

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