The top headline out of Washington this week: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced an ambitious reorganization of the USDA to refocus on its core mission—supporting American farmers, ranchers, and foresters. This overhaul comes as the department looks to cut redundant spending, reduce a ballooning federal footprint, and make every dollar count for those putting food on American tables. Rollins explained that, while USDA’s workforce expanded by 8% in just four years with a matching 14.5% salary increase, these changes failed to yield better services for American agriculture. However, she assured that all critical functions—including wildfire response, inspection, and food safety—will continue uninterrupted, with certain National Security and Public Safety positions shielded from hiring freezes. Still, some employees may be relocated as the agency prioritizes efficiency and leaner operations.

Layered on top of this organizational change is the bold new National Farm Security Action Plan—directly linking food and agriculture to the nation’s overall security. In the words of Secretary Rollins, “We feed the world. We lead the world. And we’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs, or our livelihoods.” This is not idle talk: the move comes after foreign attempts to smuggle agricultural biohazards into the U.S. made headlines, with officials warning of a “long game” where America’s enemies target agriculture through cyberattacks, land deals, and intellectual theft. The new action plan pledges aggressive measures to prevent agroterrorism and shore up frailties in the American food supply chain—steps with sweeping implications not only for national defense but for every citizen relying on safe, reliable food.

Regulatory reform was also in the spotlight: the USDA this week announced updates to the National Environmental Policy Act process, slashing 66% of department-specific regulations. The goal? To strip out bureaucratic red tape, expedite infrastructure and innovation in farming and forestry, and make it easier for projects that “benefit rural America” to get moving without years-long delays. According to Secretary Rollins, “Overregulation has morphed the NEPA process into bureaucratic overreach on American innovation,” and the changes aim to put public good and free enterprise back in the driver’s seat.

Enrollment is now open for the 2025 crop and dairy safety net programs—the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage enrollments run through April 15, and Dairy Margin Coverage through March 31. FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux urges producers not to wait, noting, “Our safety-net programs provide critical financial protections against commodity market volatilities for many American farmers.”

And for families with kids in school, gradual updates to school nutrition standards will start rolling out in fall 2025, with new limits on added sugars for popular items like cereals and flavored milk. The USDA promises these updates will be phased in slowly to give schools and food producers time to adapt, while offering extra support, equipment, and training to help schools keep meals healthy and affordable.

Impact is broad. For Americans, these changes mean a USDA that’s more responsive and secure—protecting food safety, supporting rural jobs, and making nutrition for children a national priority. Businesses and agricultural organizations can expect lighter regulatory burdens and greater clarity in federal programs. State and local governments will see renewed federal partnerships, especially during disaster response or public health emergencies. On the world stage, the new security initiatives send a strong message: U.S. food systems are not up for grabs.

Looking ahead, watch for the Great American Farmers Market event coming soon to the National Mall—spotlighting U.S. growers and part of America’s 250th celebration. If you’re a farmer, rancher, or interested citizen, now’s the time to review program deadlines and consider how these changes might affect you. To learn more or sign up for programs, contact your local USDA office or visit usda.gov.

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