Twenty-four groups, including South Dakota-based Four Bands Community Fund, the African Alliance of Rhode Island and the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, have joined a lawsuit against the USDA. Grants to support underserved farmers and ranchers were canceled in March based on wasteful spending and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies. The lawsuit contends that the decision to pull the grant funds was based on vague allegations without a review of each individual project. The plaintiffs want the grant money restored.
