Reinvigorating America’s Agricultural Landscape: Farmers Regain Their Voice

Reinvigorating America’s Agricultural Landscape: Farmers Regain Their Voice

Before harvesting an abundant crop, farmers invest immense effort in tilting the soil, sowing the right seeds, and nurturing growth. This dedication runs deep among American farmers.

During my initial 50 days as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I have become acutely aware that American farmers, ranchers, and producers are among those most affected by ineffective policies and a notable absence of leadership in Washington over the past few years. Thus, President Trump and I are committed to advocating for farmers to ensure the prosperity of American agriculture for generations to come.

Like many federal agencies influenced by poor policy decisions under the previous administration, we at USDA found ourselves overseeing a department that had strayed from its core mission. Instead, it was preoccupied with initiatives promoting concepts such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. Consequently, American farmers bore the brunt of these misguided priorities.

Federal Dietary Guidelines Are Set to Change for Americans

The ramifications of the agricultural trade deficit, which has reached an unprecedented $50 billion after four years of stagnation in trade negotiations, have been devastating. Farmers chose President Trump to alter this detrimental course and restore the trade surplus that characterized the previous administration. The Biden administration’s inability to enforce the Phase One trade agreement signed with China during President Trump’s tenure, coupled with the silence surrounding the European Union’s arbitrary non-tariff barriers affecting American producers, has exacerbated farmers’ hardships.

This circumstance is precisely why President Trump is stepping up to the challenge. He recognizes the need for fair treatment of farmers, who have faced unjust barriers such as Brazil’s burdensome 18% tariff on imported ethanol and Canada’s restrictive quotas that impose a staggering 313% tariff on milk. Our farmers, ranchers, and producers form the backbone of our economy and deserve a fair competitive landscape.

At the USDA, we are confronting these challenges directly while holding our trading partners accountable. That is why I have outlined an ambitious international travel agenda designed to broaden market access and showcase the high-quality products our farmers offer to the world. In the next six months, I will travel to countries including India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, and Peru to amplify the voice of American farmers who have been overlooked in prior trade negotiations. Additionally, my team will organize trade missions in Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mexico.

Although reversing poor trade policies poses significant challenges and will not yield immediate results, President Trump excels as a dealmaker. Together, we will guarantee that our farmers receive equitable treatment from trading partners.

Simultaneously, we remain responsive to the evolving needs of farmers and ranchers domestically as they strive to produce the safest and most abundant food supply globally. Once more, their voices are resonating in Washington, leading us to take swift action that ensures farmers and ranchers have the necessary tools to thrive as we embark on a promising new era of American prosperity.

Over the past five weeks, working closely with the Department of Agriculture’s team, we have vigorously focused on terminating contracts and grants established by the previous administration that misalign with our mission and fail to serve American agricultural stakeholders effectively. Our attention has shifted toward programs that genuinely cater to the needs of our constituents.

We have also directed Congressionally authorized payments through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) to assist farmers in managing rising input expenses and declining commodity prices.

Moreover, we have implemented a proactive plan to address the ongoing bird flu outbreak by providing federal aid to farmers, enabling quicker repopulation efforts. To date, we have conducted 336 biosecurity assessments across farms in 15 states since launching our initiative. In addition, we are rolling out funding opportunities aimed at discovering long-term solutions to combat bird flu, whether through therapeutics, vaccines, or other innovative approaches.

We are actively working to alleviate burdens on the pork and poultry industries by enhancing processing line speed efficiency and eliminating redundant reporting requirements, thus boosting productivity.

Our approval of the distribution of federal funds through the USDA’s Congressionally authorized Section 32 program aims to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to food banks across the nation.

We also initiated a biofuels incentive program impacting 29 states, which promotes American energy and encourages the production and consumption of domestically sourced biofuels. To support these efforts, the USDA is collaborating with the Environmental Protection Agency to establish Renewable Volume Obligations that benefit the biofuel sector and advocate for the EPA’s review of potential emergency fuel waivers facilitating the nationwide sale of E15 year-round. In the current agricultural landscape, U.S. biofuels represent a significant opportunity for growth.

As President Trump strives to recalibrate our trade agreements and broaden market access globally, the USDA remains steadfast in supporting our farmers, ranchers, and producers as they prepare for the upcoming planting season.

American farmers have made their voices heard loud and clear, and with their president back in the Oval Office, they can count on having a reliable advocate in Washington.