Moline, Illinois – Farm machinery giant Deere & Co. has recently announced a shift in its diversity policies, citing the need to align more closely with its business strategy. This move comes in response to pressure from conservative customers and follows a similar decision made by Tractor Supply, which sparked controversy not long ago.

Deere stated that it will no longer participate in “social or cultural awareness” events like Pride, and will review its training materials to ensure they do not contain socially motivated messages. The company also revealed that it will focus its business resource groups on professional development, mentoring, and talent recruitment rather than on race or sexual identity.

These changes by Deere reflect the growing scrutiny faced by companies regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Numerous companies, including major players like Starbucks, Meta, and Pfizer, are facing legal challenges to their diversity policies in the United States.

The alterations in Deere’s stance on social issues mirror a trend of corporate decisions causing conflict with customers. This shift by Deere and Tractor Supply follows previous boycotts, with Bud Light facing backlash over a transgender partnership and Target experiencing controversy over Pride Month merchandise.

Conservative podcast host Robby Starbuck played a significant role in pressuring Deere to reconsider its DEI initiatives, such as the creation of employee resource groups focused on LGBTQ and race-based issues. However, Starbuck expressed that Deere’s changes did not go far enough, indicating that he would continue to speak out against corporate DEI efforts.

It is important to note that the DEI program encompasses various practices aimed at diversifying companies and ensuring equal access to opportunity. While advocates praise these efforts, critics argue that preferences based on race and gender are discriminatory, leading to numerous legal challenges and anti-DEI bills in state legislatures.

As the climate around DEI work evolves, several high-profile companies, like Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, and Zoom, have eliminated DEI roles due to changing business needs. This shift underscores a broader trend where companies are reevaluating the necessity and effectiveness of DEI programs.