usda suspends 1890 scholarship program
Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Condemns USDA’s Suspension of 1890 Scholars Program
Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson is speaking out against the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) sudden suspension of the 1890 Scholars Program, a long-standing initiative that has provided critical support for Black students pursuing careers in agriculture. The decision, quietly announced on the USDA’s website, comes amid broader efforts to scale back federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Jackson has strongly criticized the move.
“Suspending the 1890 Scholars Program is nothing short of an attack on opportunity,” he stated. “This program isn’t just about scholarships—it’s about ensuring Black students have a clear pathway to careers in agriculture, food safety, and environmental science. Pulling the plug on these students is not just cruel; it’s calculated and unacceptable.”
A Program Rooted in History
The 1890 Scholars Program was established to provide financial aid and career opportunities for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) designated as 1890 Land-Grant Institutions. These institutions were founded under the Second Morrill Act of 1890 to address the racial exclusion of Black students from the original land-grant university system.
For years, the program has been instrumental in diversifying the agricultural industry, where Black professionals remain significantly underrepresented. Currently, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions educate over 20% of Black students pursuing agricultural degrees, making the suspension a devastating blow.
A Fight for Fairness
Jackson is making it clear that this decision cannot be ignored.
“This isn’t just about funding; it’s about fairness,” he emphasized. “The 1890 Scholars Program was created to address the USDA’s own history of racial discrimination. Cutting it now sends a dangerous message that equity and opportunity no longer matter.”
Demanding Reinstatement
The congressman is calling for the immediate reinstatement of the program, urging the USDA to reconsider its decision.
“I won’t stand by while this administration tries to erase decades of hard-fought progress,” Jackson declared. “The USDA must restore the 1890 Scholars Program now—because every student deserves the chance to succeed, and America’s future depends on it.”
