Tractor Supply Co. is facing controversy after recent decisions regarding its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives sparked reaction from both ends of the political spectrum. On June 6, conservative commentator Robby Starbuck posted a video on X, formerly Twitter, calling for a boycott and criticizing the company’s DEI programs and environmental advocacy efforts.
Since calls for a boycott first began circulating, Tractor Supply’s stock value declined by 5%. In response to customer feedback and pressure, Tractor Supply’s CEO issued a statement outlining significant changes in the company’s approach.
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“We have heard from customers that we have disappointed them,” the letter said. “We have taken this feedback to heart.”
Tractor Supply announced the elimination of DEI-specific roles and goals, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a respectful workplace environment. The company also disclosed plans to shift focus away from carbon emission goals towards land and water conservation efforts.
Additionally, Tractor Supply will cease sponsorship of non-business-related activities such as Pride festivals and political campaigns.
While the move was welcomed by conservatives advocating for the boycott, it was criticized among liberal groups and organizations.
John Boyd Jr., the National Black Farmers Association president, criticized the decision, calling it a step backward for race relations, particularly in rural America. The association hinted at potential calling for their own boycott if Tractor Supply does not reconsider its stance.
In response to the backlash, an animal sanctuary in New York initiated a boycott against Tractor Supply, citing irreconcilable differences in values.
Starbuck, the initiator of the original conservative boycott campaign, addressed the latest developments in another post on X.
Tractor Supply has not commented further on the boycott.
[KARAH RUCKER]
TRACTOR SUPPLY IS CAUGHT UP IN A POLITICAL WHIRLWIND –
FIRST SOME CONSERVATIVES CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT OVER THE COMPANY’S DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION POLICIES –
AND NOW SOME ORGANIZATIONS ON THE OTHER END OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM ARE THREATENING A BOYCOTT SINCE THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED A **REVERSAL ON IT’S DEI POSITION.
HERE’S HOW THE DEBACLE ALL STARTED.
“It is time to expose tractor supply.”
“they’re so committed to dei they release yearly reports on how many more minorities they’re hiring that year. Tractor supply is doing such a good job at being woke the human rights campaign has given them an a grade.”
“Demand change and let hem know youre going to leave as a customer. They’re going to understand who their customers are and they’re going to make changes encessary.”
THE VIRAL VIDEO GOES ON FOR ABOUT EIGHT MINUTES –
POSTED BY ROBBY STARBUCK – A CONSERVATIVE VIDEO MAKER IN TENNESSEE.
LISTING SOME OF TRACTOR SUPPLY’S D-E-I AND EFFORTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCACY.
THE VIDEO WAS POSTED JUNE 6TH.
CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT FOLLOWED – TRACTOR SUPPLY’S STOCK DIPPED 5 PERCENT.
THOSE CALLS LED TO THE CEO ISSUING THIS LETTER LAST WEEK –
“WE HAVE HEARD FROM CUSTOMERS THAT WE HAVE DISAPPOINTED THEM. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS FEEDBACK TO HEART.
GOING FORWARD, WE WILL ENSURE OUR ACTIVITIES AND GIVING – TIE DIRECTLY TO OUR BUSINESS.”
ACCORDING TO THE LETTER FROM THE CEO –
TRACTOR SUPPLY WILL GET RID OF DEI ROLES AND RETIRE DEI GOALS –
WHILE STILL ENSURING A RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE.
IT WILL END ITS CARBON EMISSION GOALS AND FOCUS ON LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS INSTEAD.
TRACTOR SUPPLY WILL ALSO STOP SPONSORING NONBUSINESS RELATED ACTIVITIES –
SUCH AS PRIDE FESTIVALS AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.
THIS MOVE WAS RECEIVED WELL BY THE CONSERVATIVES WHO STARTED THE BOYCOTT CAMPAIGN –
BUT IGNITED A FIRE AMONGST MANY LIBERALS.
THE NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT IS NOW DEMANDING THE CEO TO STEP DOWN –
AND CONSIDERING A BOYCOTT OF THEIR OWN IF TRACTOR SUPPLY DOESN’T REVERSE COURSE ON ITS DEI REVERSAL.
“I was appalled by the decision. I see this as rolling back the clock with race relations — because the country is so divided on race, especially in rural America. Black farmers are going to start fighting back. And that’s what we’re doing.”
AN ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN NEW YORK HAS ALREADY INITIATED THEIR OWN BOYCOTT – POSTING ON X –
“Each year Tractor Supply makes more than $65k yearly off this account. Today we met with our branch manager. We explained that we cannot support Tractor Supply any longer. You have lost our business and every shred of respect we might have had.”
STARBUCK – WHO INITIATED THE CONTROVERSY –
CALLED OUT THIS LATEST WAVE OF BOYCOTT CALLS –
FOR THE OPPOSITE REASON HE HAD CALLED FOR ONE.
SAYING “MAKING YOUR BUSINESS POLITICALLY NEUTRAL IS ONLY CONTROVERSIAL TO PEOPLE WHO DEMAND THAT COMPANIES CATER TO THEIR POLITICS. THE MEDIA’S DESPERATE TO FRAME OUR TRACTOR SUPPLY WIN AS ANYTHING BUT WHAT IT ACTUALLY WAS: A RETURN TO NORMALCY WHERE THEY’RE JUST A FARM SUPPLY STORE.”
TRACTOR SUPPLY HAS NOT FURTHER COMMENTED ON THE LATEST CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT.
I’M KARAH RUCKER. A REPORTER FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.
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