# USDA Weekly Update Podcast Script

[INTRO MUSIC]

Welcome to the USDA Weekly Update, where we bring you the latest from America's agriculture department. I'm your host, bringing you the top news from Washington.

Our headline this week: The USDA has just announced its May 2025 lending rates for agricultural producers, effective May 1st. Farm operating loans will be available at 5.125%, with ownership loans at 5.625%. These crucial financial tools help farmers start or expand operations, purchase equipment, build storage facilities, or meet cash flow needs. Emergency loans for producers facing losses are set at 3.750%.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has been making waves with several significant policy shifts. Just last month, the department canceled the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, reforming it into the Advancing Markets for Producers program. Secretary Rollins explained the change, stating: "The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative was largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers."

The reformed program requires that a minimum of 65% of federal funds go directly to producers, addressing concerns that previous programs had high administrative fees with less than half of funding reaching farmers themselves.

In international news, Mexico has committed to eliminating restrictions on USDA aircraft and waiving customs duties on equipment helping to combat the spread of New World Screwworm, following negotiations with Secretary Rollins.

Looking at leadership changes, Secretary Rollins announced new State Directors for the Farm Service Agency and Rural Development on May 2nd, continuing the administration's focus on what they call "putting Farmers First."

For specialty crop producers, there's good news as the USDA prepares to issue $1.3 billion through a second round of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program payments this week.

The department has also designated two Oklahoma counties as contiguous natural disaster areas due to heat and winds, making emergency loans available to affected producers.

For farmers seeking assistance with loans, the USDA offers online resources including a Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool at farmers.gov.

Coming up: Watch for more details on the reformed producer market program and how existing partnerships will continue under new guidelines.

For more information on any of these developments, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit usda.gov.

That's all for this week's USDA update. I'm [Name], thanks for listening.

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