Calumet County dairy farmer Adam Faust set out to challenge what he saw as unfair treatment in federal farm programs – and his lawsuit has now forced a nationwide policy change at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In June 2025, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed a federal lawsuit challenging the USDA’s use of race and sex as eligibility criteria for several programs. The lawsuit targeted the Loan Guarantee Program, the Dairy Margin Coverage Fee, and the EQIP Grant Program, arguing that these policies violated equal protection guarantees of the U.S. Constitution.
Faust, one of 2 million White male American farmers – 60% of all farmers – said the lawsuit was aimed at restoring equal treatment of farmers.
“The USDA should honor the President’s promise to the American people to end racial discrimination in the federal government,” Faust said in a written statement reported by the Associated Press. “After being ignored by a federal agency that’s meant to support agriculture, I hope my lawsuit brings answers, accountability and results.”
Six Republican Wisconsin congressmen, including Rep. Tony Wied, who represents the state’s 8th Congressional District where Faust resides, wrote a letter last year to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollings, calling on the agency to investigate and end discriminatory race-based policies.
“USDA should comply with President Trump’s order immediately. Each day without reform further disadvantages farmers, like Mr. Faust, based on their immutable characteristics,” the letter read. Wied was joined by Reps. Derrick Van Orden, Tom Tiffany, Bryan Steil, Glenn Grothmann and Scott Fitzgerald.
Faust previously secured a 2021 victory against the Biden administration over race discrimination in the Farmer Loan Forgiveness Plan, with assistance from WILL. In February 2026, the Justice Department announced that it would cease defending the remaining challenged programs in court, citing their unconstitutionality.
USDA ends certain program criteria after legal challenge
As a result of the settlement, the USDA agreed to end discriminatory preferences across the three federal programs, as well as pay attorney fees to the Milwaukee-based firm.
WILL Managing Vice President and Deputy Counsel Dan Lennington said the Trump Administration inherited dozens of discriminatory programs that supported certain farmers over others based on race and sex.
“Those shameful days are now behind us. We appreciate the USDA’s hard work in reforming important programs for American farmers,” said Lennington, who called those past policies “immoral and unconstitutional”.
Black farmers appeal ruling after lost USDA loan relief
Not everyone in the agricultural community was happy with the resulting policy changes, including John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association. He says the lawsuit undermines efforts to help historically disadvantaged farmers.
“The farmers that are hurting now are clearly the Black farmers out there,” Boyd told the Associated Press.
Boyd is among a group of black farmers who have filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the cancellation of the debt relief program, saying the USDA broke its promise after farmers took out loans and made investments with the expectation of forgiveness.
The case is now on appeal after a lower court ruled the program did not create a binding legal contract.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Wisconsin farmer’s case prompts changes to USDA aid programs
Reporting by Colleen Kottke, Wisconsin State Farmer / Wisconsin State Farmer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
