b'ELEPHANT IN THE ROOMThe Other SideDeere Steps Back From Formal DEI InitiativesFarm equipment maker says it will still track and advance diversity within the company.Aimee Nielson, Seed World U.S. EditorEditors note: Corporations and universities across the United States have been pushing back on their DEI initiatives. Earlier this year, John Deere announced it would not longer sponsor social or cultural awareness events. In a statement on X, the com-pany said it would also be auditing training materials to ensure the absence of socially-motivated messages. Seed World U.S. reached out to John Deere to give them an opportunity to talk about their new direction. They declined and provided the follow- Corporations and universities across the United States ing statement, which was also posted on X on July 17, 2024. have been pushing back on their DEI initiatives. Earlier JOHN DEERE WASfounded in Americas heartland nearlythis year, John Deere announed it would no longer 200 years ago by an entrepreneur deeply committed to delivering innovative products to his customers. Were proud ofsponsor social or cultural awareness events.this legacy and it continues to drive us today. We deeply value our more than 80,000 global employees who work every day to deliver superior products to our custom-ers. It takes the best people and the best teams to solve our customers biggest challenges.To best serve our customers and employees, Deere is alwaysBusiness Resource Groups will exclusively be focused on listening to feedback and looking for opportunities to improve.professional development, networking, mentoring, and sup-Thats why we consistently prioritize internal policies that moreporting talent recruitment efforts. closely align our business strategy to meet the needs of ourAuditing all company-mandated training materials and poli-customers.cies to ensure the absence of socially motivated messages,For example, last year: while being in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. We revised our corporate guidelines to solely focus onReaffirming within the business that the existence of diver-sponsorships supporting the business and brand. sity quotas and pronoun identification have never been and Our non-profit sponsorships center on priority areas, suchare not company policy. as hunger, economic development, poverty alleviation, sci- We fundamentally believe that a diverse workforce enables ence, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),us to best meet our customers needs and because of that agriculture education initiatives, and support for our nationswe will continue to track and advance the diversity of our service members and veterans. organization.Based on ongoing conversations, we have committed to the We remain committed to listening to our customers, employ-following:ees, and other key stakeholders. Your trust and confidence in usWe will no longer participate in or support external social orare of the utmost importance to everyone at John Deere and wecultural awareness parades, festivals, or events. fully intend to earn it every day and in every way we can.SW32/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2024'