Deere

Deere is a Moline, Ill.–based manufacturer of agricultural and construction machinery, as well as diesel engines and lawn care equipment. Known for its slogan, “Nothing runs like a Deere,” the company was founded by John Deere nearly 200 years ago and has remained a staple of American manufacturing ever since. Deere was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic; both supply chain disruption and weakened demand prompted temporary shutdowns in Deere’s production of construction and forestry equipment. In partnership with the federal government, Deere began to manufacture personal protective equipment to help combat the pandemic, producing upwards of 400,000 face shields for health care workers. In 2020, the company partnered with the National Black Growers Council and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help Black farmers and their families overcome legal obstacles and take back unjustly seized land.