Tractor Supply ends carbon emission goals, drops DEI initiatives

Tractor Supply Co., one of the largest rural retail chains, is withdrawing carbon emission goals and ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across its 2,300 locations. The Brentwood, Tennessee, firm had faced criticism in conservative media. 

"We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart," the company said. 

TSC reevaluated corporate interactions, employee support and social stances, saying in a statement, "Going forward, we will ensure our activities and giving tie directly to our business." 

The company reaffirmed philanthropic commitments, such as investments in the National FFA Organization, an educational organization with extensive inclusivity standards. However, it retracted workplace diversity submissions to the Human Rights Campaign, roles supporting DEI initiatives and nationwide commitments to DEI standards. 

In 2021, the company announced goals to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve net zero emissions by 2024 and also released five-year DEI goals to support TSC’s company vision. Although such plans have been retracted, TSC says it plans to continue land and water conservation efforts. 

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According to the statement, the "pride festivals and voting campaigns" it had supported were non-business activities and will no longer be sponsored. 

Ryan Goodman, founder of Pride In Agriculture, said in response, that "rural America thrives on diversity." He added, "Several larger brands and organizations in the industry have led the way in supporting their employees. These efforts have been encouraging and have paved avenues for greater inclusion of LGBTQ+ people." The TSC decision is "disappointing but not surprising."

Other agribusinesses of similar size and value have maintained DEI principles, many companies having profiles in the HRC Corporate Equality Index, such as Cargill, John Deere, Tyson and ADM.