Department of Agriculture (USDA) News

• USDA Today: Trade Deals, Disaster Relief, New Lending Rates, and School Nutrition Updates

  # USDA Today: Agriculture Updates for May 2025*[Upbeat intro music fades in]*Welcome to USDA Today, I'm your host bringing you the latest from America's agriculture department. This week, Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a significant development - a new trade agreement in principle with the United Kingdom that will lower tariffs and remove trade barriers. This comes as President Trump made the announcement on the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, with Secretary Rollins scheduled to visit the UK from May 12-14.In disaster response news, the USDA is rolling out a massive agricultural relief effort for farmers affected by severe weather in 2023 and 2024. The department has established a timeline for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program, with sign-ups beginning as early as July 7th for producers with indemnified losses. For uncovered losses, applications will open around September 15th. This represents one of the largest post-disaster agriculture relief efforts in U.S. history.Additionally, the USDA announced May 2025 lending rates for agricultural producers. Farm Operating Loans are set at 5.125%, Farm Ownership Loans at 5.625%, and Emergency Loans at 3.750%. These favorable rates aim to help farmers start or expand operations, purchase equipment, or meet cash flow needs.For families, important changes are coming to school nutrition standards. Starting this fall, there will be limits on added sugars in breakfast cereals, yogurt, and flavored milk. By 2027, no more than 10% of weekly calories in school meals can be from added sugars.The department is also responding to recent natural disasters, with people recovering from severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding potentially eligible for food assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.In organizational news, Secretary Rollins held the inaugural Farmers First roundtable, bringing together state agricultural leaders to prioritize farmers' needs.For farmers interested in the disaster assistance programs, mark your calendars for the staggered application periods beginning in July. To explore loan options or learn more about any of these programs, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov to use online tools like the Loan Assistance Tool.As always, the USDA remains committed to supporting America's agricultural producers and ensuring food security for all Americans.*[Outro music fades in]*

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• USDA Announces Disaster Aid Details, Reorganization Plan Ahead

  # USDA Weekly Update Podcast ScriptWelcome to this week's USDA Update. I'm your host, bringing you the latest from the Department of Agriculture.Our top story: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced that USDA will open applications for nearly $21 billion in natural disaster aid before the end of May. During testimony before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Secretary Rollins confirmed this crucial timeline for farmers affected by natural disasters over the past two years."We will announce applications for disaster aid in the coming weeks, by the end of May," Rollins stated during the hearing on Tuesday. The aid package, passed quickly after Hurricane Helene last fall, covers various natural disasters from 2023 and 2024, with $2 billion specifically designated for livestock producers.In organizational news, Secretary Rollins revealed that the USDA's comprehensive reorganization plan will be released next week. Approximately 15,000 USDA employees have accepted early retirement or buyouts under the Deferred Resignation Program, though Rollins emphasized this aligns with normal attrition rates."USDA has around 106,000 employees in total. Every year, we lose just by attrition between 8,000 to 10,000 of those employees," Rollins explained, adding, "I think the President has a very bold vision of returning the power to the people of downsizing the government. And I think we're doing that in a very intentional and very smart way."The USDA has also announced May 2025 lending rates for agricultural producers, with Farm Operating Loans at 5.125% and Farm Ownership Loans at 5.625%. These favorable rates aim to help eligible producers access vital capital for operations, equipment, and cash flow needs.Meanwhile, concerns are mounting about changes to USDA farm loan processes. Senator Amy Klobuchar and colleagues have raised issues regarding the new procedures, which could affect many agricultural producers.Progress continues on the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, with Secretary Rollins reporting that nearly $8 billion has been distributed since late March, reaching more than 472,000 farmers.For farmers and producers seeking information about disaster aid applications or loan programs, visit your local USDA Service Center or use online tools like the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.That's all for this week's update. We'll be watching closely for the reorganization plan and disaster aid application details in the coming days. I'm your host, signing off until next week.

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• USDA Updates Lending Rates, Reshapes Climate Initiatives, Aids Specialty Crops

  # 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.[OUTRO MUSIC]

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• USDA Rollins Overhauls Agency, Shifts Climate Priorities & Boosts Producer Funding

  # USDA WEEKLY PODCAST: May 2, 2025HOST: Welcome to the USDA Weekly Update, where we break down the latest developments from the Department of Agriculture. I'm your host, and today we're covering major changes at the USDA under Secretary Brooke Rollins.Our top story: The Trump administration's plan to reorganize and downsize the USDA is expected to be released by mid-May. Secretary Rollins confirmed this timeline while speaking in North Dakota, indicating the restructuring could involve consolidating USDA programs with other federal agencies."There are seven agencies that deal with housing, including USDA," Rollins noted. "There are 12 agencies that deal with rural prosperity and rural programming. This is the first time we're taking a hard look at how our government is organized."In a significant policy shift, the USDA has canceled the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, replacing it with the Advancing Markets for Producers program. Secretary Rollins didn't mince words about the change: "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 projects had high administration fees with less than half of funding reaching farmers.In financial news, the USDA announced new lending rates for agricultural producers effective May 1st, providing crucial access to capital for farmers looking to expand operations or purchase equipment.The department is also delivering relief to farmers impacted by recent natural disasters, with emergency loan designations for counties in Oklahoma affected by heat and winds, and physical loss loans for producers affected by tornadoes in Indiana.For specialty crop producers, there's good news – Secretary Rollins announced a second round of payments through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops program, providing up to $1.3 billion in additional assistance.Looking ahead, the USDA's reorganization could affect several key areas, including Rural Development programs and federal wildfire services. Rollins emphasized that essential support programs won't be eliminated: "We're not taking food away from hungry kids or stopping wildfire efforts. The focus is on reducing layers of bureaucracy."For farmers affected by program changes, the USDA will contact current partners individually. For more information on any of these developments, visit the USDA website at usda.gov.That's all for this week's update. Join us next Friday for more agricultural news from Washington.

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• "USDA Update: Empowering Rural America, Expanding Market Access"

  # USDA Update: America's Agricultural PulseWelcome to this week's USDA Update, where we track the latest developments in American agriculture and rural policy. I'm your host, bringing you the most significant headlines from the Department of Agriculture.The biggest news this week comes from Secretary Brooke Rollins, who just marked her first 100 days in office with a series of major policy announcements. Secretary Rollins has been actively implementing President Trump's economic agenda with a particular focus on empowering rural America and expanding market access for U.S. farmers.In a significant win for Texas farmers and ranchers, Secretary Rollins secured an agreement with the Mexican government to meet current water needs under the 1944 Water Treaty. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing concern for agricultural producers along the border who depend on reliable water access.The Secretary also applauded the EPA's emergency approval allowing summer sales of E-15 nationwide, stating: "President Trump is committed to lowering energy prices by unleashing American energy production, and it all starts with U.S. farmers. This move will provide immediate relief to consumers, provide more choices at the pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in America."On the financial front, the USDA announced April lending rates for agricultural producers through the Farm Service Agency. With farm operating loans at 5.375% and farm ownership loans at 5.750%, these programs provide crucial access to capital for producers looking to start or expand operations.Looking ahead, Secretary Rollins is working with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, due by December 31st. They've promised a "line-by-line review" of the previous administration's scientific report, with Secretary Rollins emphasizing that the new guidelines will be "based on sound science, not political science."For farmers concerned about avian influenza, Secretary Rollins recently visited Ohio with Governor Mike DeWine to discuss USDA efforts to support family farms and control the spread of HPAI.If you're interested in learning more about any of these initiatives or applying for agricultural loans, visit the USDA website or contact your local USDA Service Center. The Department continues to offer online tools like the Loan Assistance Tool to help producers explore their options.That's all for this week's update on America's agricultural pulse. Stay tuned for more developments as the new administration continues to implement its rural agenda.

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