Calumet County dairy farmer Adam Faust set out to challenge what he saw as unfair treatment in federal farm programs – and his lawsuit has now forced a nationwide policy change at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In June 2025, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty filed a federal lawsuit challenging the USDA’s use of race and sex as eligibility criteria for several programs. The lawsuit targeted the Loan Guarantee Program, the Dairy Margin Coverage Fee, and the EQIP Grant Program, arguing that these policies violated equal protection guarantees of the U.S. Constitution.
Faust, one of 2 million White male American farmers – 60% of all farmers – said the lawsuit was aimed at restoring equal treatment of farmers…