USDA Workforce More Diverse

December 28, 2000

USDA's workforce has grown more diverse during the Clinton-Gore Administration, according to Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman. Women now occupy more than 42% of USDA's permanent positions, and 21% of the department's employees are minorities, the highest percentage in history.

Glickman says the diversity is noteworthy in particular since it comes during a period of significant downsizing. USDA's total permanent workforce has been decreased from 98,908 in fiscal year 1993 to 85,920 in fiscal year 2000, a reduction of nearly 14%. "Our workforce now better reflects all the people that we serve," said Glickman. "While our work is not done, we have made great progress in turning around the Department's civil rights record and ensuring that all our employees and customers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect."

From 1993 to 2000, African American permanent employment at USDA increased from 9.4 to 10.8%. Hispanic representation increased from 4.1 to 5.4%. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders grew from 1.7 to 2.3% of USDA's permanent workforce. Native American representation increased from 2.4 to 2.5%. There was also an increase in women among USDA's permanent workforce -- from 41.1 to 42.3%.

The hiring of 2,582 women and minorities out of 4,074 total permanent hires in fiscal year 2000 indicates continued growth in diversity among the USDA workforce, Glickman added. Women comprised 52.6% of new permanent hires, African Americans 16.2%, Hispanics 6.4%, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders 2.3% and Native Americans/Alaskan natives 2.1%.

Glickman said USDA has been particularly successful in increasing the representation of minorities and women in senior-level positions (GS-14 and above). Since 1993, the number of non-white USDA employees in these positions increased by 56% (580 to 904), while the number of women also increased by 56% (907 to 1,415).

He said targeted outreach and other employment initiatives helped increase significantly minority hiring. He also announced that he has established five new employee advisory councils and an overall diversity council to advise him on issues affecting African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, women, and gay and lesbian USDA employees. The new councils join those already established for Hispanics and people with disabilities.