The Department of Agriculture has recently suspended the long-standing 1890 Scholars Program, which was established in 1992 with the aim of encouraging young individuals at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to pursue careers in agriculture, food safety, and environmental science. This program provided recipients with full tuition fees, books, room, and board at 1890 land-grant universities.
The decision to suspend the program has sparked criticism from Democratic members of Congress who view it as a step backward in promoting diversity and equity within the government. They argue that the suspension of the 1890 Scholars Program is evidence of further hostility towards marginalized groups, especially following recent executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Representative Jonathan L. Jackson of Illinois, a member of the Agriculture Committee, expressed his concerns, stating that the 1890 Scholars Program was a direct response to the USDA's history of racial discrimination. He called on the USDA to reverse the decision and reinstate the program without delay. Jackson highlighted the significant role that 1890 land-grant institutions play in educating over 20% of Black students pursuing agricultural degrees.
Similarly, Representative Alma S. Adams of North Carolina, a member of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus, criticized the suspension of the program. Adams emphasized that the 1890 Scholars Program was intended to address historical racial discrimination within the land-grant system, not perpetuate it. She demanded that the USDA rescind the suspension and reinstate the program immediately, especially considering that the deadline for student applications was originally set for March 1, 2025.
