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Tractor Supply, a retail chain of stores that sells home renovation, livestock, and agricultural products, has announced major shifts to its environmental, social, and governance programs. These changes include eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) jobs, withdrawing carbon emission goals, and reversing its support for the LGBTQ community.

Shifts in Initiatives of Tractor Supply

In a press statement released on June 27, Tractor Supply announced that it would discontinue data submissions to the LGBTQ advocacy organization Human Rights Campaign and will no longer be involved with Pride festivities and voting efforts.

According to CNBC, the company previously achieved a flawless score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Best Places to Work Corporate Equality Index.

The retailer also made it to Bloomberg's Gender Equality Index for 2022 and 2023 and was recognized to Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2023.

The company also established targets to reduce its water use by 2025 and achieve net zero carbon emissions in operations by 2040.

What Caused the Changes?

However, Tractor Supply said on Thursday that it will withdraw its carbon emission goals to focus on its land and water conservation efforts. It is also eliminating its efforts to increase workplace diversity to better represent the values of the customers it serves.

The company's DEI goals included tripling the representation of people of color in managerial and executive roles by 2026. The retailer serves mostly rural communities, with 50,000 workers across 2,250 outlets in 49 states.

"Rural communities are the backbone of our nation and what make America great... We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart," the company said in the statement.

According to Tractor Supply, it had donated millions of dollars to various causes, including those related to veterans, state fairs, animal shelters, rodeos, and farmers' markets.

The company added that it is the biggest supporter of the National Future Farmers of America (FFA), a nonprofit organization that promotes agricultural education for middle school and high school students.

"We work hard to live up to our Mission and Values every day... We will continue to listen to our customers and Team Members. Your trust and confidence in us are of the utmost importance, and we don't take that lightly," Tractor Supply said.