California Ag Network

Tag: Brooke Rollins

  • USDA Delivers Final ‘Farmers First’ Program Improvements

    U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that the USDA is making significant improvements to its disaster assistance and commodity loan programs as outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to celebrate the one-year anniversary of President Trump signing the act into law on July 4, 2025. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is strengthening disaster assistance support for livestock producers, orchardists and nursery tree growers, increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates and expanding Marketing Assistance Loans to better help cotton and sugar producers.    

     ”As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we also celebrate our all-important farmers,” Rollins said. “The Trump administration is committed to ensuring the economic success of farmers and ranchers who rely on a strong safety net when natural disasters impact their infrastructure or when market prices affect their profitability. These producers need and deserve assistance that works for them, not against them.”

    The changes cumulatively  outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act provide an investment in American agriculture. Last month, FSA announced expanded payment limitation and payment eligibility provisions and the opportunity to increase base acres on eligible farms. FSA also previously announced that producers will benefit from increased reference prices for major commodities starting this fall. Additional policy enhancements for FSA disaster and commodity loan programs are taking effect.

    Read more about these enhancements here. — Story contributed by the USDA

  • USDA Announces Lawfare Partnership with SBA

    U.S. Secretary of Ag Brooke L. Rollins announced a new memorandum of understanding with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to combat weaponized regulatory and enforcement actions against America’s producers, ranchers and small businesses. This partnership advances Pillar 4 of the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework by building a government-wide shield against lawfare.

    Secretary Rollins was joined by SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, Special Envoy for American Landowners John Rich, Director of the Bureau of Land Management Stevan Pearce, Representative Harriet Hageman, Representative Eli Crane and affected producers and ranchers, along with representatives from leading legal organizations including the America First Policy Institute, Institute for Justice, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Pacific Legal Foundation, American Stewards of Liberty and Mountain States Legal Foundation.

    “Producers and ranchers who feed this nation should never face the full power of government alone,” Rollins said. “This partnership with the SBA creates clear pathways for redress, ensures fairness in enforcement, and demonstrates that Washington stands with, not against, the hardworking Americans who sustain our country. Through the USDA Lawfare Portal and interagency collaboration, we are delivering real protection under the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework.”

    “For too many ranching families, lawfare has become just another cost of doing business—except it’s one no hardworking producer should ever have to bear,” Rich said. “I’ve traveled across this country and met families who have spent years fighting bureaucrats instead of tending their cattle, working their land, or passing their operations on to the next generation. This partnership sends a clear message: the federal government is done standing on the sidelines while producers are buried in red tape and abusive enforcement. We’re standing up for the people who feed America.”

    The MOU formalizes collaboration between USDA and SBA’s Office of the National Ombudsman. It enables the resolution of complaints involving other federal regulatory agencies submitted through the USDA Lawfare Portal – in addition to analyzing resulting data to identify patterns for potential deregulation and accountability. — Story contributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • Valadao Welcomes Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield

    Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) hosted USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins last Friday at Allied Potato for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Central Valley growers, ranchers and producers.

    The event brought together agricultural leaders from across the region to discuss key industry priorities and celebrate the USDA’s finalizing of the Specialty Crops Farmers program. This will provide $1.6 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers to help offset rising input costs and market disruptions — $625 million more than previously announced.

    Prior to the roundtable, Valadao and Rollins toured Allied Potato, where the visited the fields and observed the processing and packaging operations. Attendees included representatives from the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, Wonderful Citrus, California Dairies Inc., Milk Producer’s Council, California Citrus Mutual, Grimmway Farms, Western Tree Nut Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farmworker Foundation, Family Tree Farms, Monte Vista Farming Company, and Cauzza Growers.

    “Agriculture drives the Central Valley’s economy, and I was honored to welcome USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield for a discussion with local agricultural leaders today,” Valadao said “For years, I’ve worked closely with producers across the Valley to address the challenges they face—rising input costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, and the need for a stronger specialty crop safety net—and this conversation reinforced the importance of continued collaboration. As the sole dairy farmer in Congress, I understand these issues firsthand, which is why I was proud to join the Secretary as she announced USDA finalized $1.6 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers to help offset high costs and market disruptions. I appreciate her engagement with our local leaders, and I look forward to continuing to work with USDA on commonsense policies that support Central Valley agriculture and give producers the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

    “Thank you Congressman Valadao, a leader on the House Commitee on Agriculture, for hosting an incredible roundtable today at Allied Potato here in your beautiful Bakersfield, California. Your extraordinary farmers, ranchers, and dairymen exemplify what it means to feed the country and the world,” Rollins said. “Everyday, the Trump Administration is putting Farmers First. As we announced after the roundtable, we are committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as  we continue opening  new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce. Congressman Valadao was critical to helping pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which is already helping over 63,000 California farms sell more agriculture products than any other state, protecting 2 million family farms from the death tax, increasing reference prices for the first time in more than a decade, and making the largest investment in rural America in history. And we are just getting started.”

  • USDA, DOI Move to Boost Support for Ranchers

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum today announced new actions aimed at boosting the  supply of American born, raised, and harvested beef by supporting American ranchers with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen coordination, cut bureaucratic red tape, and deliver immediate, tangible support for America’s farmers and ranchers who rely on public lands.

    Building on the USDA’s recently released Grazing Action Plan, the agreement formalizes collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to ensure more efficient, transparent and responsive grazing management across federal lands.

    “Today’s signing sends a clear message: the Trump Administration is putting America’s farmers and ranchers first,” said Secretary Rollins. “Building on our action plan for American ranchers announced in the fall, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are already delivering. This is another example of President Trump eliminating costly bureaucracy in order to lower consumer prices. Our public lands are there for the people, and this action demonstrates the commitment at USDA and the Department of the Interior to improve our services so farmers and ranchers who use public lands can run more efficient operations.”

    “The Grazing Action Plan is built on a collaborative partnership dedicated to strengthening ranching operations while safeguarding our public lands,” said Secretary Burgum. “By working closely with American ranchers, we are enhancing communication, investing in innovation, and modernizing our approach to land management practices to deliver real results for the people who feed and sustain this country. In coordination with the Department of Agriculture, the Trump administration is advancing actions designed to support farmers and ranchers – securing a more resilient future for grazing on public lands and protecting America’s ranching heritage for generations to come.”

    For generations, ranchers have played a vital role in feeding the nation, supporting rural economies, and stewarding public lands. The MOU recognizes permittees as essential partners and directs federal agencies to engage directly with those who live and work on the land.

    Key actions under the agreement

    • Cutting red tape and improving efficiency – The MOU streamlines permitting and processes and encourages agencies to use existing authorities more effectively – reducing delays for grazing permits, infrastructure improvements, and emergency response actions.
    • Strengthening rancher partnerships – Agencies will expand collaboration with permittees through structured engagement, including learning roundtables and enhanced communication channels.
    • Ranch immersion programs for federal employees – New initiatives will place agency staff on working ranches to build firsthand understanding of operational challenges and realities on the ground.
    • Enhancing transparency and data access – Improved data systems will make grazing allotment information more accessible and predictable, giving producers greater certainty to plan and invest.
    • Expanding practical land management tools – The agreement promotes targeted grazing to reduce wildfire risk, supports reopening vacant allotments, and encourages adoption of innovative technologies such as virtual fencing.
    • Wildfire coordination and response – The creation of Grazing Permittee Wildfire Liaisons will ensure ranchers have clear points of contact and a voice during wildfire response and recovery efforts.
    • Maintaining grazing capacity – The MOU affirms a goal of maintaining grazing capacity wherever possible, including no net loss of Animal Unit Months within allotments, consistent with applicable law.

    Officials emphasized the agreement supports not only producers, but also American families by strengthening the domestic food supply chain. By lowering costs and improving efficiency for ranchers, the initiative helps keep food affordable and reduces reliance on foreign imports.

    Today’s signing marks an important step forward in modernizing federal grazing management and reflects a broader commitment to rural prosperity by fortifying the American beef industry as directed by President Trump’s order Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.

    Additional background

    More than 20,000 ranchers and farmers across 28 states graze on federal lands. The FS and the BLM are responsible for a total of 240 million acres of federal rangelands. The two agencies together administer more than 23,000 permits and leases held by ranchers who graze their livestock on approximately 29,000 allotments. About 10% of grazing allotments, or roughly 24 million acres, are not under permit but are targeted as opportunities to allow more grazing on federal lands. The FS collects an average of $6 million annually in grazing fees.

    Livestock grazing on national forests and grasslands contributes about 14,200 jobs and $645 million to the nation’s gross domestic product annually, supporting agriculture-related sectors and private operations. Across Western rangelands, livestock grazing on BLM lands generate $2.7 billion in total economic output, supporting 35,000 jobs and $700 million in total labor income. — By U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • USDA, DOI Move to Boost Support for Ranchers

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum today announced new actions aimed at boosting the  supply of American born, raised, and harvested beef by supporting American ranchers with the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen coordination, cut bureaucratic red tape, and deliver immediate, tangible support for America’s farmers and ranchers who rely on public lands.

    Building on the USDA’s recently released Grazing Action Plan, the agreement formalizes collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to ensure more efficient, transparent and responsive grazing management across federal lands.

    “Today’s signing sends a clear message: the Trump Administration is putting America’s farmers and ranchers first,” said Secretary Rollins. “Building on our action plan for American ranchers announced in the fall, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are already delivering. This is another example of President Trump eliminating costly bureaucracy in order to lower consumer prices. Our public lands are there for the people, and this action demonstrates the commitment at USDA and the Department of the Interior to improve our services so farmers and ranchers who use public lands can run more efficient operations.”

    “The Grazing Action Plan is built on a collaborative partnership dedicated to strengthening ranching operations while safeguarding our public lands,” said Secretary Burgum. “By working closely with American ranchers, we are enhancing communication, investing in innovation, and modernizing our approach to land management practices to deliver real results for the people who feed and sustain this country. In coordination with the Department of Agriculture, the Trump administration is advancing actions designed to support farmers and ranchers – securing a more resilient future for grazing on public lands and protecting America’s ranching heritage for generations to come.”

    For generations, ranchers have played a vital role in feeding the nation, supporting rural economies, and stewarding public lands. The MOU recognizes permittees as essential partners and directs federal agencies to engage directly with those who live and work on the land.

    Key actions under the agreement

    • Cutting red tape and improving efficiency – The MOU streamlines permitting and processes and encourages agencies to use existing authorities more effectively – reducing delays for grazing permits, infrastructure improvements, and emergency response actions.
    • Strengthening rancher partnerships – Agencies will expand collaboration with permittees through structured engagement, including learning roundtables and enhanced communication channels.
    • Ranch immersion programs for federal employees – New initiatives will place agency staff on working ranches to build firsthand understanding of operational challenges and realities on the ground.
    • Enhancing transparency and data access – Improved data systems will make grazing allotment information more accessible and predictable, giving producers greater certainty to plan and invest.
    • Expanding practical land management tools – The agreement promotes targeted grazing to reduce wildfire risk, supports reopening vacant allotments, and encourages adoption of innovative technologies such as virtual fencing.
    • Wildfire coordination and response – The creation of Grazing Permittee Wildfire Liaisons will ensure ranchers have clear points of contact and a voice during wildfire response and recovery efforts.
    • Maintaining grazing capacity – The MOU affirms a goal of maintaining grazing capacity wherever possible, including no net loss of Animal Unit Months within allotments, consistent with applicable law.

    Officials emphasized the agreement supports not only producers, but also American families by strengthening the domestic food supply chain. By lowering costs and improving efficiency for ranchers, the initiative helps keep food affordable and reduces reliance on foreign imports.

    Today’s signing marks an important step forward in modernizing federal grazing management and reflects a broader commitment to rural prosperity by fortifying the American beef industry as directed by President Trump’s order Ensuring Affordable Beef for the American Consumer.

    Additional background

    More than 20,000 ranchers and farmers across 28 states graze on federal lands. The FS and the BLM are responsible for a total of 240 million acres of federal rangelands. The two agencies together administer more than 23,000 permits and leases held by ranchers who graze their livestock on approximately 29,000 allotments. About 10% of grazing allotments, or roughly 24 million acres, are not under permit but are targeted as opportunities to allow more grazing on federal lands. The FS collects an average of $6 million annually in grazing fees.

    Livestock grazing on national forests and grasslands contributes about 14,200 jobs and $645 million to the nation’s gross domestic product annually, supporting agriculture-related sectors and private operations. Across Western rangelands, livestock grazing on BLM lands generate $2.7 billion in total economic output, supporting 35,000 jobs and $700 million in total labor income. — By U.S. Department of Agriculture

  • USDA Announces $39M Purchase for Pears, Split Peas

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $263 million in agricultural products from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need.

    This includes $15 million for fresh pears and $24 million for split peas.

    “From milk and dairy to fruits, legumes, and tree nuts, these staples are essential for feeding families and sustaining America’s agricultural economy,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies. By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilizing farm income and protecting rural jobs—we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America. Under President Trump’s leadership, these investments strengthen the food supply, sustain rural communities, and reinforce agriculture as a cornerstone of economic resilience.”

    Agricultural Marketing Service Section 32 Purchases

    AMS continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net. USDA AMS will purchase up to $263 million of the following commodities:

    • Butter: $75 million
    • Cheddar Cheese and Cheese Products: $32.5 million
    • Swiss Cheese: $10 million
    • Fresh Fluid Milk: $20.5 million
    • Ultra-High Temperature Milk: $10 million
    • Chickpeas: $12 million
    • Dried Beans (Black and Pinto): $25 million
    • Fresh Pears: $15 million
    • Lentils: $14 million
    • Pecans: $10 million
    • Split Peas: $24 million
    • Walnuts: $15 million

    — By the USDA

  • Ag Retailers & Crop Advisers Express Strong Support for USDA’s Regenerative Ag Initiative

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) welcome the recent announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz regarding the new $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program. ARA applauds the Trump Administration’s commitment to voluntary, incentive-based conservation efforts that place farmers first and strengthen America’s food and fiber supply.

    “ARA stands ready to collaborate with USDA, NRCS, and all agricultural partners to ensure the Regenerative Pilot Program strengthens producer profitability, enhances natural resources, and supports a resilient food and fiber system for generations to come,” said Hunter Carpenter, ARA’s Senior Director of Public Policy.

    Agricultural retailers and the Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs) they employ have long been at the forefront of helping growers adopt practices that improve soil health, protect water quality, and enhance long-term productivity. Many regenerative agriculture principles—such as the 4R nutrient stewardship framework, no-till and strip-till systems, cover crops, variable-rate application, and grazing—are already implemented across the country. For decades, growers have voluntarily invested in these practices because they improve soil function, increase efficiency, and support more resilient farm operations. Farmers are the original conservationists, and their commitment to leaving the land better than they found it remains steadfast.

    ARA strongly supports USDA’s voluntary and incentive-driven approach to regenerative agriculture. These practices must make agronomic and economic sense for individual operations, and we encourage USDA to work closely with agricultural retailers—the trusted advisers who serve farmers every day—to help determine where and how regenerative approaches can be implemented profitably. At the same time, growers who choose not to adopt certain practices, for whatever reason, should not be penalized. Successful conservation requires flexibility and respect for the diversity of production systems across American agriculture.

    The technical expertise offered by ag retailers and their CCAs is essential for helping producers adopt regenerative practices in ways that fit their farms and improve their bottom lines. ARA looks forward to working in concert with NRCS staff—not in lieu of them—to expand technical assistance and ensure that growers receive the full benefit of both public and private-sector expertise.

    The Increased TSP Access Act represents an important opportunity to expand the number of CCAs who can be certified as Technical Service Providers, bolstering NRCS capacity and accelerating on-farm adoption of regenerative systems. ARA greatly appreciates Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Representative Jim Baird (R-IN), and others for introducing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help address TSP shortages.

  • Secretary Rollins Challenges Newsom’s Proposed Redistribution of California Ag Land

    Today, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom (PDF, 1.4 MB) demanding California abandon a proposal that would redistribute agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. This letter comes as the California Land Equity Task Force considers a draft proposal that would encourage and facilitate land transfers and financial assistance exclusively to certain minorities.

    “[T]he United States Department of Agriculture (the Department) writes to express substantial constitutional concerns regarding the state of California’s proposed redistribution of agricultural land based on race, ethnicity, and national origin. The proposed policies would grievously harm farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers,” the Secretary wrote in the letter.

    “All people should be treated equally and what California has proposed directly targets those who work from sunrise to well past sunset, faithfully tending our nation’s land and livestock. Hardworking farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers all deserve a shot at the American dream, and they should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin,” the Secretary continued.

    View the full letter (PDF, 1.4 MB)

    Background: In 2022, the California State Legislature established the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force to develop recommendations for the State Legislature and Governor Newsom on how to “equitably” increase access to minority farmers and tribes. Currently, the Agricultural Land Equity Task Force is reviewing a draft report that is due back to the legislature by January 1, 2026.

    You may view the draft report from California. It proposes several ways to redistribute agricultural land to “socially disadvantaged farmers” and claims that “diversity” will result in ecological benefits, environmental protection, and climate resiliency.  It recommends several actions that would apply exclusively to certain minorities. The Report also recommends the support and incentivization of:

    The development of local ordinances that would restrict the purchase of land unless you are a certain minority.

    The purchase of private land by the state and other non-profits under the guise of agricultural land preservation and only offer leases to certain minority farmers after the purchase.

    Exclusive leasing of existing state lands to certain minorities.

    Exclusive funding for acquisition of agricultural land by certain minorities.

    Exclusive tax credits to certain minorities for not only agricultural land but also infrastructure and student loans.

    Transferring public land exclusively to tribes.

    Transferring private land specifically to tribes, specifically to African Americans living in California, and exclusively to certain other minorities.

    Debt forgiveness for only certain minorities.

    The development of zoning laws that require “equitable” land access and specific climate-related agricultural practices.

    The prioritization of conservation programs for certain minority farmers over other farmers.

  • USDA Reveals 3-Point Plan to Support U.S. Farmers, Ranchers and Exporters

    Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins and Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Luke J. Lindberg, has announced an aggressive three-point plan that will support American agricultural producers and exporters.

    “President Trump is putting American agriculture first by negotiating fair, reciprocal deals that benefit U.S. producers, farmers, and ranchers,” said Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “Secretary Rollins is focused on expanding market access, enforcing trade commitments, and boosting rural prosperity. Market promotion support, rapid response to reciprocal trade agreements, and better financing programs will translate to progress in chipping away at the $50 billion agricultural deficit.”

    The three-point plan was announced during remarks at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

    America First Trade Promotion Program

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized an additional $285 million per year for trade promotion programs beginning in fiscal year 2027. USDA will kickstart that program one year early with $285 million in FY26 and launch the American First Trade Promotion Program.

    T.R.U.M.P. Missions (Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers).

    USDA will launch a new model of trade missions — as a supplement the current model — targeting reciprocal trade deal countries and new market access opportunities. The focus of these will be determined country-by-country to maximize high-return, low-risk agricultural export prospects and connect buyers and sellers.

    Revitalize export finance opportunities

    The GSM-102 credit guarantee program is authorized to offset $5.5 billion in market risk for purchasers of American commodities. Currently, the program has only $2 billion in liabilities on its books. USDA will reinvigorate this program to ensure it is best aligned to facilitate American exports to new markets. The GSM-102 program provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products. By reducing financial risk to lenders, credit guarantees encourage exports to buyers in countries that have sufficient financial strength to have foreign exchange available for scheduled payments.

    “Advancing these programs, as supplements to our existing programs, ensures the health, prosperity, and security of rural America, our farmers, ranchers and producers,” said Lindberg. “Restoring the United States to the Golden Age of the American farmer is an exciting journey and will once again culminate in our status as the breadbasket to the world.”