Secretary Rollins Provides Current State of Farm Economy

Last week in Kansas City, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins delivered key updates on the state of the U.S. farm economy, highlighting rising production costs, labor challenges, and USDA’s multi-agency efforts to support American farmers and ranchers.

Secretary Rollins addressed the continued rise in farm production input costs, stating that the USDA and Department of Justice (DOJ) will collaborate to investigate market dynamics:

“…a commitment by USDA and the Department of Justice to investigate competitive conditions including antitrust enforcement through the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, to ensure competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace.”

Rollins also spoke directly to rising labor costs, particularly the burdensome expense of the H-2A visa program for seasonal farmworkers. She committed to working with the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security to create regulatory changes that will make H-2A more affordable and accessible.

“President Trump has made it clear: America’s farmers and ranchers will never be left behind. The success of our farmers is a national security priority, and at USDA we are looking at every option to ensure the future viability of American agriculture.”

Rollins was critical of previous administrations for policies that she said contributed to inflation, neglected farmer needs, and failed to expand global market access. She emphasized that the Trump Administration is actively holding companies accountable for unjustified price increases and is committed to improving conditions across the ag sector.

To address market volatility and rising debt burdens, she outlined the role of ECAP payments and international food assistance purchases:

“Relief is already reaching farms and ranches, but more help is still needed. ECAP payments, combined with our international food assistance purchases, help producers navigate market volatility, pay down debt for the 2024 crop year, and move American-grown commodities to people in need in countries around the world.”

Rollins closed by reaffirming USDA’s commitment to expanding export markets, delivering emergency assistance, and ensuring a competitive, secure, and prosperous future for U.S. agriculture.

Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.