The decision to cut Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) roles and programs at one of the largest suppliers of farming equipment in the country, has been met with outrage from Black farmers who are now calling on the company’s CEO to resign.
On Tuesday, the National Black Farmers Association called on Tractor Supply’s President and CEO Hal Lawton to step down after the Tennessee-based retailer announced it would no longer provide most of its DEI initiatives.
Tractor Supply’s reversal on diversity programs, which it announced last week, followed backlash from conservative activists who were against the programs, including climate change initiatives.
John Boyd Jr., president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA), said Tractor Supply stores can be found where many of the NBFA’s 130,000 members are located, the Associated Press reported.
Boyd told the Associated Press he was “appalled” by the decision, and added that “Black farmers are going to start fighting back.”
More on the DEI cuts at Tractor Supply Co.
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