U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has unveiled a sweeping action plan to stabilize America’s struggling farm economy, warning that the sector is “under threat” from surging production costs, stagnant commodity prices, and growing foreign competition. Speaking at the Agriculture Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Rollins said the Trump administration is mobilizing policy, financial aid, trade initiatives, and regulatory reforms to support farmers and ranchers and safeguard the country’s food security.
Over the past four years, the cost of critical farm inputs has skyrocketed, putting immense pressure on producers. Since 2020, seed prices have jumped 18%, fuel and oil 32%, fertilizer 37%, electricity 36%, and farm equipment 45%. Labor expenses have risen 47%, reaching an estimated $54 billion this year, while interest costs have surged by 73%. These steep increases, combined with falling commodity prices, have eroded farm profitability and threatened the viability of many operations.
To address market distortions and potential price manipulation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate price gouging and enforce antitrust laws. “The Antitrust Division of DOJ will work hand in hand with USDA to scrutinize competitive conditions and ensure a fair marketplace,” Rollins said, emphasizing the need to protect farmers from unfair pricing by input suppliers, particularly foreign companies.
Labor costs are another major burden. Rollins announced that USDA has discontinued the Farm Labor Survey — previously used to set Adverse Effect Wage Rates — and is collaborating with the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to reform the H-2A visa program, aiming to make seasonal agricultural labor more affordable and accessible.
The administration is also deploying significant financial support to ease farmers’ hardships. Since March, USDA has distributed $13.5 billion in relief, including over $8 billion through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) and more than $2 billion in livestock disaster aid. Additional ECAP funds worth $2 billion are being released this week. The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program has already provided $5.5 billion, with further support expected in October.
To boost global competitiveness, the government is prioritizing trade expansion. Recent agreements with the Philippines, South Korea, the EU, Japan, and the UK aim to open new markets for U.S. crops. The “America First Trade Promotion Program,” launching October 2, will channel $285 million annually into promoting U.S. agricultural exports.
Domestic demand is also a focus. The administration is expanding biofuel production, prioritizing U.S.-sourced feedstocks, and issuing emergency E15 waivers to support corn growers. Additionally, USDA is purchasing 417,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities — equivalent to over 16 million bushels — for international food assistance programs worth $480 million, which will help reduce global hunger while creating new export opportunities.
A final pillar of the plan is preventing foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. Rollins said taxpayer funds will no longer support foreign-led solar projects on prime agricultural land, and policies will be strengthened to keep farmland in American hands.
“America’s farmers and ranchers have delivered for 250 years — now it’s our turn to deliver for them,” Rollins concluded, expressing optimism that these measures will restore competitiveness, protect livelihoods, and ensure the future of U.S. agriculture.