Conservative Activist Targets Agricultural Companies’ DEI Efforts
- Deere reduces diversity initiatives after pressure from conservative activist
- Company stops socially motivated messages in training materials
- Diversity quotas not a policy, says Deere
- Similar retreat by Tractor Supply recently
- National Black Farmers Association calls for boycott and CEO resignation
Deere & Co., the world’s largest farm equipment seller, has decided to reduce some of its diversity and inclusion initiatives after being targeted by conservative activist Robby Starbuck. This follows a similar retreat by Tractor Supply. Deere will remove socially motivated messages from company-mandated training materials and policies unless required, while stating that it believes in a diverse workforce and continues to track and advance the organization’s diversity. The National Black Farmers Association has called for a boycott of Deere’s equipment and CEO John May’s resignation, citing insufficient support for Black farmers. More companies face scrutiny over their DEI initiatives.
Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about Deere’s decision to dial back some of its diversity and inclusion initiatives in response to criticism from conservative activist Robby Starbuck. It also mentions the historical support for social justice causes by John Deere and the National Black Farmers Association’s call for a boycott and CEO resignation. However, it lacks details on Bud Light losing its spot as the top-selling beer in the U.S., which is not directly related to the main topic.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article covers recent events related to Deere’s decision to scale back its diversity and inclusion initiatives in response to conservative activist pressure. While it provides some context on the company’s history of social justice support, it mainly focuses on the actions of a single activist and other companies’ responses to similar pressures. The article could benefit from more analysis or discussion of long-term trends and consequences.
Public Companies: Deere & Co. (DE), Tractor Supply (null)
Key People: John May (Chief Executive of Deere & Co.), Robby Starbuck (Conservative Activist), John W. Boyd Jr. (President of the National Black Farmers Association), Hal Lawton (CEO of Tractor Supply), Jim Fielding (Former CEO of Claire’s Stores and former president of Disney Stores)
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Deere & Co.’s stock price
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Deere & Co.’s decision to dial back some of its diversity and inclusion initiatives in response to conservative activist pressure, which could impact the company’s public image and potentially affect its financial performance. This decision may also have an effect on other companies facing similar scrutiny regarding their DEI policies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.·
www.wsj.com 
