As the Trump administration moves to eliminate key diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) protections at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Congressman David Scott (D-GA) has introduced legislation aimed at reversing decades of systemic discrimination and protecting the future of Black farmers.
On July 17, Scott introduced the Black Farmers and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers Increased Market Share Act of 2025. Co-sponsored by Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), the bill seeks to expand market access and enforce civil rights protections for farmers historically denied equitable treatment by the federal government.
“Generations of Black farmers have lost their land and livelihoods because of systemic discrimination,” said Scott. “They once made up over 14% of all U.S. farmers—now they represent less than 2%.”
In 1920, there were nearly one million Black farmers. Today, fewer than 50,000 remain. Jackson called the 95% decline “staggering,” attributing it to broken policies, discriminatory lending, and limited market access.
The bill includes a competitive grant program to support food hubs that help minority farmers access wholesale and retail markets. It provides a 25% tax credit for products purchased from those hubs, mandates USDA procurement from socially disadvantaged farmers, and creates an independent Civil Rights Ombudsperson to assist with discrimination claims. The legislation would also reform USDA policies to offer financial relief to farmers denied support due to discrimination.
Scott’s bill comes in response to a major policy reversal at the USDA, which recently announced it will stop using the term “socially disadvantaged” to define farmers affected by race, ethnicity, or gender-based discrimination. That designation, originating in the 1990 Farm Bill, had formed the basis for many programs supporting farmers of color.
According to Capital B News, the USDA’s decision follows executive orders from President Trump eliminating DEI mandates. The agency now says it will use a race- and gender-neutral framework, claiming it has “sufficiently” addressed its history of discrimination.
Critics argue the change disproportionately harms Black farmers. Lloyd Wright, a Virginia farmer and former USDA official, said, “They’re eliminating socially disadvantaged and clawing back outreach funding.” Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH) called it part of “Trump’s resegregation agenda,” and a “disgraceful step backward.” Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) added that USDA should be preventing discrimination, not reversing protections.
Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin, founder of the Kentucky Black Farmers Association, said removing the label leaves Black farmers more vulnerable. She noted that USDA programs often fail to reach Black producers, while many large white-owned farms were never disadvantaged to begin with.
The USDA’s policy shift follows lawsuits by white farmers and conservative legal groups. Wisconsin farmer Adam Faust sued the agency, claiming reverse discrimination. He previously helped block a $4 billion loan forgiveness program for farmers of color under the Biden administration.
Black farmers continue to challenge the USDA in court. The Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association recently sued the agency, claiming they were excluded from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program, which helped over 43,000 farmers who experienced bias before 2021.
Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) criticized the administration’s moves as political theater. “This administration is focused on divisive publicity stunts that will hurt our agriculture industry long-term,” he said.
Scott’s bill builds on years of advocacy, including his work revealing that Black farmers received just 0.1% of a $26 billion USDA pandemic relief package. As Congress debates reauthorizing the Farm Bill, Scott emphasized the need to embed equity into agriculture policy. “Congress must reverse decades of inaction by restoring trust and creating new opportunities for Black and socially disadvantaged farmers,” he said.
