Today, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom (PDF, 1.4 MB) demanding California abandon a proposal that would redistribute agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. This letter comes as the California Land Equity Task Force considers a draft proposal that would encourage and facilitate land transfers and financial assistance exclusively to certain minorities.
“[T]he United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) writes to express substantial constitutional concerns regarding the state of California’s proposed redistribution of agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. The proposed policies would grievously harm farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers,” the Secretary wrote in the letter.
“All people should be treated equally and what California has proposed directly targets those who work from sunrise to well past sunset, faithfully tending our nation’s land and livestock. Hardworking farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers all deserve a shot at the American dream, and they should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin,” the Secretary continued.
Background: In 2022, the California State Legislature established the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force to develop recommendations for the State Legislature and Governor Newsom on how to “equitably” increase access to minority farmers and tribes. Currently, the Agricultural Land Equity Task Force is reviewing a draft report that is due back to the legislature by January 1, 2026.
You may view the draft report from California. It proposes several ways to redistribute agricultural land to “socially disadvantaged farmers” and claims that “diversity” will result in ecological benefits, environmental protection, and climate resiliency. It recommends several actions that would apply exclusively to certain minorities. The Report also recommends the support and incentivization of:
The development of local ordinances that would restrict the purchase of land unless you are a certain minority.
The purchase of private land by the state and other non-profits under the guise of agricultural land preservation and only offer leases to certain minority farmers after the purchase.
Exclusive leasing of existing state lands to certain minorities.
Exclusive funding for acquisition of agricultural land by certain minorities.
Exclusive tax credits to certain minorities for not only agricultural land but also infrastructure and student loans.
Transferring public land exclusively to tribes.
Transferring private land specifically to tribes, specifically to African Americans living in California, and exclusively to certain other minorities.
Debt forgiveness for only certain minorities.
The development of zoning laws that require “equitable” land access and specific climate-related agricultural practices.
The prioritization of conservation programs for certain minority farmers over other farmers.
