USDA Ends Race-Based Support, Shuts Regional Small Farm Centers

The USDA is ending the Southwest Regional Food Business Center on September 15, 2025, which has supported nearly 2,000 individuals and over 1,000 small farms and food businesses in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah since 2023. This closure is part of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's decision to terminate the national food business center program launched to strengthen local food systems. Additionally, the USDA is eliminating the use of the term “socially disadvantaged” and removing race and gender considerations from its programs, including those that historically supported Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian farmers. This move, aligned with President Trump's executive order to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federal agencies, aims to promote a merit-based, race-neutral approach, though it has raised concerns among minority farmers about losing critical support. The USDA claims it has sufficiently addressed past discrimination through litigation and reforms, while critics argue this rollback will harm underserved groups that currently represent about 4% of U.S. producers. Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized accountability for any remaining discriminatory practices in USDA programs, reflecting the administration's stance of impartiality to race in its operations.