USDA’s final equity convening highlights progress

Sep 26, 2024
By Farms.com

Celebrating USDA’s advances in equity and access

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today held its final National Equity Convening, a key event that celebrated the progress made towards making USDA services more inclusive and accessible. Hosted at the USDA Headquarters, this event was the climax of a series of equity-focused gatherings held throughout the year.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack highlighted the pivotal role of the USDA Equity Commission in driving these changes, noting that its recommendations have been integral in shaping a more equitable approach to agricultural support.

Since the commission's establishment, the USDA has adopted numerous improvements to ensure its programs serve all Americans effectively.

Key advancements discussed at the convening include the American Rescue Plan Technical Assistance Investment Program, which has reached thousands with crucial support to enhance their agricultural operations. changes to the farm loan application process have halved the required time for submissions, now possible through an online platform.

Investments from the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act were also emphasized as critical in bolstering rural communities' growth and sustainability. These funds have enabled significant enhancements in technical assistance and infrastructure development, aiming to build resilience in America’s food systems.

The convening served not only as a reflection on the past year's successes but also as a reaffirmation of the USDA’s commitment to integrating equity into all facets of its operations, continuing to serve as a model of inclusivity within the federal government.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.