USDA to Embrace Diversity Recommendations

USDA is aiming to change its culture and will embrace recommendations from a two-year study of the agency that looked at the history of discrimination and civil rights failings. “There is a massive effort within USDA to change the culture,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “There is a real commitment from the top down.” The $8 million study by an outside organization made more than 200 recommendations that include appointing a “chief diversity officer” in each of the agency’s state offices and requiring farm service officials to “thoroughly” explain denying loans for minorities. Read more (The Washington Post) or review the summary report.