A Wisconsin dairy farmer has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), claiming he is being treated unfairly under federal programs that continue to prioritize race and gender.
Adam Faust, a farmer from Chilton, is represented by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL). The legal group argues that Faust is subject to USDA policies that provide financial advantages to minority and female farmers, putting white male farmers at a disadvantage.
The lawsuit names three USDA programs:
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Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC): Designed to help farmers when the gap between milk prices and feed costs widens, this program charges a $100 fee that is waived for farmers identified as “socially disadvantaged”—a category that includes specific racial groups and women.
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Loan Guarantee Program: The USDA guarantees up to 95% of loans for minority and female farmers, while white male farmers like Faust receive a 90% guarantee. The lower guarantee can mean higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms.
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): This program supports environmental improvements on farms. Faust, who is building a manure storage system, is eligible for 75% reimbursement, while minority farmers may receive up to 90%.
Faust was previously involved in a successful 2021 lawsuit that challenged the Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan for minority farmers. A federal court found that race-based eligibility violated the Constitution, leading to the program’s repeal.
WILL says the USDA has continued to apply similar policies. The group sent a warning letter to the USDA in April and filed the lawsuit after receiving no response.
Six Republican members of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation—Reps. Tony Wied, Bryan Steil, Derrick Van Orden, Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany, and Scott Fitzgerald—have also asked the USDA to review the programs and end what they describe as race- and sex-based discrimination.
WILL has filed similar lawsuits in more than 25 states, challenging government diversity and inclusion initiatives. The USDA has not commented on the lawsuit.
