John Deere has joined fellow rural-oriented brand Tractor Supply in cancelling support for both progressive causes and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles. In a statement on X, the retailer said it would be auditing “all company-mandated training materials and policies to ensure the absence of socially motivated messages, while being in compliance with federal, state and local laws.”
While stating its belief in the benefits of a diverse workforce, John Deere also reaffirmed that “the existence of diversity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and are not company policy.” Additionally, the company said it would “no longer participate in or support external social or cultural awareness parades, festivals or events,” and would focus its internal Business Resource Groups on goals such as professional development and talent recruitment.
At press time John Deere had not responded to a request for comment. The statement on X was unsigned.
Tractor Supply made similar policy changes earlier this month and almost immediately received pushback from organizations including the National Black Farmers Association. Additionally, Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, has created an online petition protesting the retailer’s moves by playing off of Tractor Supply’s “For life out here” slogan by saying “Life out here includes ALL of us.”
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