The biggest headline out of the Department of Agriculture this week: the USDA just kicked off the second stage of its $16 billion Supplemental Disaster Relief Program—rolling out vital funds to farmers and ranchers hit hard by the storms that slammed much of the Midwest and other regions the past two years. As of today, local Farm Service Agency offices around the country are open for applications, aiming to get aid directly into producers’ hands. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized, “We’re doing whatever it takes to make good on President Trump’s promise to expedite disaster recovery assistance to U.S. farmers and ranchers, ensuring viability, prosperity, and longevity for these men and women who dedicate their lives to our nation’s food, fiber and fuel production.” Enrollment is open until April 30, 2026, covering not only big crop losses but also shallow losses and certain quality issues left out of the first stage. That means both large operations and small family farms have a window to apply.

For dairy producers, there’s more relief: the Milk Loss Program covers up to $1.65 million for lost milk after disasters, while the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program sets aside up to $5 million for on-farm storage losses. Both open for applications through January 23, 2026. According to AgWeb, this relief package is on top of nearly $10 billion in earlier commodity and livestock disaster funds—a massive commitment to protecting the agricultural backbone of the country.

On the policy front, newly implemented work requirements for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, are now in place nationwide after a gradual phase-in. The USDA has instructed every state to fully enforce the rules as of November 1, targeting able-bodied adults without dependents, and further limiting state flexibility. In addition, the administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025” has capped future increases to SNAP’s Thrifty Food Plan, tightened adjustment processes, and cut federal support for state SNAP administrative costs by half beginning in 2027. Food policy experts from the University of Illinois recently noted public frustration as spending priorities shift—especially as projected cuts to food assistance clash with a rising desire for more robust food security programs.

In international and animal health news, the USDA this week launched screwworm.gov, a new federal website to coordinate information and research on New World screwworm—a threat to both livestock and wildlife. Secretary Rollins highlighted this as a “whole of government effort” with robust partnerships across federal agencies and Mexican authorities, underlining how biosecurity investments protect our food supply and boost trade confidence abroad.

Looking ahead, the most immediate deadline is for disaster aid applications, with another push expected on public health and animal disease control partnerships. For detailed information or to check eligibility, listeners can visit fsa.usda.gov/sdrp for disaster aid, fsa.usda.gov/mlp for dairy relief, and screwworm.gov for biosecurity updates. As always, public feedback and local FSA office visits are encouraged. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more changes to farm support, school meals, and food safety funding as debates continue in Congress.

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