Tractor Supply Eliminates DEI Roles and LGBTQ Support, Prioritizes Land and Water Conservation

Brentwood, Tennessee United States of America
Company prioritizes land and water conservation instead of carbon emissions reduction goals
Some pages on Tractor Supply's website related to its carbon emissions reduction and DEI efforts now redirect to a photo of a Tractor Supply store
The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, no longer has access to the company's data
Tractor Supply eliminates DEI roles and LGBTQ support
Tractor Supply had previously set goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions in the decade after that
Tractor Supply is not the first company to face pressure from conservative activists over its ESG initiatives
Tractor Supply Eliminates DEI Roles and LGBTQ Support, Prioritizes Land and Water Conservation

Tractor Supply, a leading rural lifestyle retailer based in the United States, has announced significant changes to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. The company is eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles and support for the LGBTQ community as part of these changes. Tractor Supply had previously set goals to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net-zero emissions in the decade after that, but it will now prioritize land and water conservation initiatives instead.

The retailer, which caters to rural communities with over 50,000 employees across 2,250 stores in 49 states, had been recognized for its inclusive and diverse workplace. It was included on Newsweek's list of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and Bloomberg's Gender Equality Index in previous years.

The announcement comes amid growing anti-DEI sentiment following a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2023 that struck down affirmative action in colleges, which some experts predicted could have implications for corporate hiring or recruiting. Companies such as Starbucks, Disney and Target have faced legal challenges over DEI initiatives for LGBTQ customers and employees.

Tractor Supply's decision to eliminate DEI roles and support for the LGBTQ community was met with criticism from some quarters, but it also received backing from conservative activists who had been campaigning against the company. The retailer said it was making these changes to better represent the values of its customers and communities.

Some pages on Tractor Supply's website related to its carbon emissions reduction and DEI efforts now redirect to a photo of a Tractor Supply store. The Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group, no longer has access to the company's data. Pride festivals and voting campaigns are also no longer being sponsored by Tractor Supply.

Tractor Supply is not the first company to face pressure from conservative activists over its ESG initiatives. In February 2023, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer dropped race-based eligibility requirements for a fellowship program designed for college students of Black, Latino and Native American descent following criticism from some quarters.

The retailer's market valuation is around $29 billion. CNBC contacted Tractor Supply for more details about the changes but did not receive a response beyond the statement.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • How will the elimination of DEI roles impact employee morale and retention?
  • Is it confirmed that all DEI roles have been eliminated?
  • What specific land and water conservation initiatives will Tractor Supply focus on?

Sources

87%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Tractor Supply no longer going woke, eliminates DEI goals

Fox Business Network Aislinn Murphy Friday, 28 June 2024 22:05
  • Unique Points
    • Tractor Supply is getting rid of initiatives labeled as 'woke' by some social media users and customers.
    • Tractor Supply will cease sponsorship of non-business activities such as Pride festivals and voting campaigns.
    • Agricultural education, veterans, and animal welfare are causes Tractor Supply identified.
    • Tractor Supply is dropping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals it had previously set for itself.
    • DEI positions at Tractor Supply will be axed.
  • Accuracy
    • Tractor Supply plans to prioritize land and water conservation initiatives instead of curbing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero in the decade after that.
  • Deception (75%)
    The article by Aislinn Murphy contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports details that support the company's decision to eliminate DEI goals and cease sponsorship of nonbusiness activities, while omitting any mention of potential negative consequences or alternative perspectives. Additionally, the author uses emotionally charged language such as 'woke' to manipulate readers' emotions towards Tractor Supply's decision.
    • He urged Tractor Supply customers earlier in the month to spend their money elsewhere ‘until Tractor Supply makes REAL changes.’
    • Tractor Supply said it will cease sponsorship of ‘nonbusiness activities’ such as Pride festivals and voting campaigns, with intentions to focus more on ‘rural America priorities.’
    • Tractor Supply is getting rid of several initiatives that some social media users and customers have slammed as ‘woke’ in recent weeks.
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author reports on Tractor Supply's decision to eliminate DEI goals and cease sponsorship of non-business activities such as Pride festivals and voting campaigns. No formal or informal fallacies are present in the article. However, there is an appeal to authority from customers who have criticized the company for its 'woke' initiatives.
    • Some customers have slammed Tractor Supply as 'woke' in recent weeks.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author uses the term 'woke' multiple times to describe initiatives that some customers have criticized, implying a negative connotation. This is an example of language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable.
    • He urged Tractor Supply customers earlier in the month to spend their money elsewhere ‘until Tractor Supply makes REAL changes.’
      • Tractor Supply is getting rid of several initiatives that some social media users and customers have slammed as ‘woke’ in recent weeks.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      73%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Rural retailer Tractor Supply eliminates DEI roles, Pride support and carbon emissions goals

      CNBC News Ece Yildirim Friday, 28 June 2024 15:08
      • Unique Points
        • Tractor Supply is eliminating DEI roles and support for the LGBTQ community as part of changes to ESG initiatives.
        • Tractor Supply is retiring initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving employee diversity.
        • Tractor Supply was previously included on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index.
      • Accuracy
        • Tractor Supply plans to prioritize land and water conservation initiatives instead of curbing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero in the decade after that.
      • Deception (30%)
        The article by Ece Yildirim contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author only reports details that support the company's decision to eliminate DEI roles, Pride support, and carbon emissions goals without mentioning any potential negative consequences or opposing viewpoints. Additionally, the author uses emotionally charged language such as 'disappointed customers' and 'growing wave of anti-DEI sentiment' to manipulate readers' emotions.
        • Tractor Supply was previously included on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity in 2023 and was named to Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index for 2022 and 2023.
        • The retailer said it will no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group.
        • The author uses the phrase 'growing wave of anti-DEI sentiment' to manipulate readers' emotions.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author makes an appeal to the values of rural communities (appeal to emotion) and states that Tractor Supply has heard feedback from customers that they have disappointed them (appeal to audience). The article also mentions a growing wave of anti-DEI sentiment in the wake of a Supreme Court decision, but this is not an assertion by the author and therefore not considered.
        • Tractor Supply said it has heard from customers that it has disappointed them.
        • Rural communities are the backbone of our nation and what make America great.
      • Bias (80%)
        The author expresses a clear bias against DEI initiatives and support for the LGBTQ community by describing Tractor Supply's decision to eliminate these roles and withdraw support as representing 'the values of the communities and customers it serves'. This language implies that DEI initiatives are not valued by rural communities, which is a biased assumption.
        • The author describes Tractor Supply's decision as representing 'the values of the communities and customers it serves'
          • The retailer caters to largely rural communities, with 50,000 employees across 2,250 stores in 49 states.
            • The retailer said it will no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ advocacy group. The company will also stop sponsoring Pride festivals and voting campaigns.
              • Tractor Supply said it has heard from customers that it has disappointed them. We have taken this feedback to heart.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              60%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Tractor Supply slashes its DEI and climate goals after a right-wing pressure campaign

              National Public Radio (NPR) Rachel Treisman Friday, 28 June 2024 00:00
              • Unique Points
                • Tractor Supply Company has eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) roles
                • Tractor Supply had been recognized for its inclusive and diverse workplace
                • Tractor Supply now says it will no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign
                • Tractor Supply plans to prioritize land and water conservation initiatives instead of curbing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and reaching net-zero in the decade after that.
                • Tractor Supply was previously included on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index.
              • Accuracy
                • Tractor Supply had been recognized for its inclusive and diverse workplace, including being listed on Bloomberg’s Gender Equality Index and Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.
                • Tractor Supply now says it will no longer submit data to the Human Rights Campaign, withdraw its carbon emissions goals, eliminate its DEI roles and retire its current DEI goals while still ensuring a respectful environment.
                • Tractor Supply is getting rid of initiatives labeled as ‘woke’ by some social media users and customers.
                • Tractor Supply is retiring initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and improving employee diversity.
              • Deception (30%)
                The article contains selective reporting as it only reports on the actions taken by Tractor Supply in response to conservative backlash and ignores any potential positive impacts of their DEI initiatives. The author also uses emotional manipulation by implying that the company's decision is a 'massive victory for sanity' and 'embarrassing capitulation'.
                • It sends an appalling message, during Pride month, to see a rural staple go out of their way to bring harm to their LGBTQ customers and employees.
                • The campaign seems to have worked, with the Financial Times reporting it knocked 5% off the Nasdaq-listed company’s share price in the past month.
                • The end of DEI programs hurts business in two ways. The most important role of DEI programs is that they promise to democratize access to good jobs in the US.
              • Fallacies (80%)
                The author reports on the actions taken by Tractor Supply Company in response to conservative backlash against their DEI and climate initiatives. The article does not contain any explicit fallacies from the author. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist mentioned in the article, which could be considered a fallacy if taken out of context. These instances include his use of phrases like 'expose Tractor Supply' and 'funding sex changes'. Additionally, there is an appeal to authority when the author mentions that Tractor Supply has been nationally recognized as an inclusive and diverse workplace. However, these instances do not significantly impact the overall quality of the article.
                • ][Robby Starbuck] take no pleasure in bringing this all to light.[/]
                • [Robby Starbuck] I'm a Tennessean who loves to support TN companies but as a proud Tennessean I know these woke priorities don’t align with our state or @TractorSupply’s customer base.[
              • Bias (5%)
                The author uses language that depicts the conservative activists as winning a 'massive victory' and 'exposing' Tractor Supply. She also quotes Robby Starbuck using the phrase 'respectfully flood', which could be seen as encouraging aggressive actions towards the company.
                • He urged others to ‘respectfully’ flood Tractor Supply’s corporate offices with calls and emails stating their disapproval and, to the extent possible, start buying products from other stores instead.
                  • It seems to have worked, with the Financial Times reporting it knocked 5% off the Nasdaq-listed company’s share price in the past month.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  98%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  Tractor Supply Ditches Climate, Diversity Goals After Online Attacks

                  Bloomberg News Now Aaron Clark Friday, 28 June 2024 22:09
                  • Unique Points
                    • Tractor Supply is scrapping its diversity, equity and inclusion goals
                    • Criticism against the company's policies came from right-wing activist Robby Starbuck (article-specific fact not in other articles)
                  • Accuracy
                    • Tractor Supply is dropping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals it had previously set for itself.
                    • Tractor Supply has eliminated its DEI roles
                  • Deception (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication