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(02/18/22) BATON ROUGE, La. — Gina E. Eubanks, associate vice president of the LSU AgCenter, has been named to the agriculture subcommittee of the recently formed U.S. Department of Agriculture Equity Commission.
The commission was announced Feb. 10 and will hold its first public meeting Feb. 28. Its mission is to address historical discrimination in the USDA by providing recommendations to the secretary of agriculture on policies and programs while strengthening accountability in the department.
Eubanks, who received her bachelor’s degree from Southern University A&M College and her master’s and doctorate from Oklahoma State University, is currently the associate vice president and program leader at the AgCenter. She provides administrative leadership for the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences and the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.
She sees the formation of the commission as a crucial step for marginalized groups served by USDA.
“The USDA is called the ‘people department,’ and the equity commission and agriculture subcommittee will aid the USDA in reaching its fullest potential of working equitably with all people,” she said.
In a statement announcing the commission’s formation, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said he believes the group will address issues that are long overdue for solutions.
“USDA acknowledges we have not done enough to provide all farmers and ranchers an equal chance of success and prosperity, and we are striving to change that,” Vilsack said. “This commission will support our work to build a USDA that does not ignore or leave anyone behind anyone as we dismantle barriers that historically underserved communities have faced in accessing USDA programs and services.”
Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh, co-chair of the Equity Commission, echoed those sentiments.
“We are serious about our efforts to end discrimination across all areas of the department,” she said. “Participation by a diverse group of representatives is key to the success of the Equity Commission and for USDA to build trust among those we serve.”
For her part, Eubanks could not be more enthusiastic about her appointment and the commission’s ability to effect positive change.
“I am excited to have been nominated and selected to serve because I know that USDA will be better for the collected minds that have come together to work on behalf of the agency and the people served,” she said. “Together we will make a difference.”
Gina E. Eubanks, associate vice president of the LSU AgCenter, has been named to the agriculture subcommittee of the recently formed U.S. Department of Agriculture equity commission. Photo by Annabelle Lang/LSU AgCenter
