USDA announces new Equity Commission

On Feb. 10, the USDA announced the new Equity Commission and Subcommittee on Agriculture and the members that will be on both. 

The commission is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and will hold its first meeting Feb. 28.  

The commission members include: Arturo Rodriguez of California, Hazell Reed of Arkansas, Toni Stanger-McLaughlin of Washington, Derrick Johnson of Mississippi, Ronald Rainey of Arkansas, Mireta Loza of District of Columbia, Charles Rawls of Virginia, Shorlette Ammons of North Carolina, Poppy Sias-Hernandez of Michigan, Todd Corley of Ohio, Yvonne Lee of California, Elizabeth Lower-Basch of Virginia, Shirley Sherrod of Georgia, Ertharin Cousin of Illinois and Rick Smith of Missouri.

Members of the subcommittee include: Shari Rogge-Fidler of Illinois, Savonala Horne of North Carolina, Alexis Racelis of Texas, Gina Eubanks of Louisiana, Michelle Hughes of Virginia, Kari Jo Lawrence of South Dakota, PJ Haynie III of Virginia, Russell Redding of Pennsylvania, Janssen Hang of Minnesota, Erica Lomeli Corcoran of California, Sarah Vogel of North Dakota, Gary Matteson of New Hampshire.

The application process included selecting for those that can voice the concerns of people of color, women, indigenous communities, rural communities, the LGBTQI+, small businesses, those with disabilities and limited English proficiency.

“USDA acknowledges we have not done enough to provide all farmers and ranchers an equal chance of success and prosperity, and we are striving to change that,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a USDA press release. “This Commission will support our work to build a USDA that does not ignore or leave anyone behind anyone as we dismantle barriers that historically underserved communities have faced in accessing USDA programs and services.”