US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently held the inaugural Farmers First roundtable at the US Department of Agriculture. Rollins hosted Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and over 20 farmers and ranchers from 11 states who run small-scale, independent and family-owned operations.

After studying the needs and current state of the farm economy, Rollins will launch a plan later in May 2025 to ensure small-scale, family-owned farming operations are economically viable, and those who want to start and keep their own farms for generations to come are able to. The group discussed ways the USDA will work together with states and federal and private sector partners to put farmers first. Alongside NASDA President Wes Ward, Rollins signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve collaboration and coordination.

Following several natural disasters that deeply impacted farms and ranches across the country, Rollins announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance. Farmers receiving livestock relief for drought and wildfire can expect to receive payments as soon as the end of May.

“At USDA, we understand there are many challenges to starting a new farm and maintaining a small family farm. While there are many programs to assist our farmers, we feel strongly that it takes government entities, non-profits, and the private sector working together to improve the viability, prosperity, and longevity of small family farms. I have had the honor of visiting many farms and speak with families over the last several months and have heard firsthand that farmers are struggling. We are working every day to improve the farm economy,” said Rollins. “President Trump knows how important agriculture is to the success of our country. We are reversing four years of neglect by announcing a policy portfolio to help small family farms and expediting assistance to support American agriculture. We delivered ECAP payments in record time and will do it again with this disaster assistance announced today.”

A landing page to track the status of USDA’s disaster rollout, which will be updated regularly, launched May 7.

Source: USDA