USDA Now Accepting Applications for America First Trade Promotion Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially opened the application period for the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), a major new initiative designed to strengthen U.S. agricultural exports and global market presence. Funded by Congress earlier this year, the AFTPP provides $285 million in support for agricultural export, marketing, and promotional activities.
Administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the program aims to expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers. Eligible applicants include:
- Non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations that promote U.S. commodity exports
- U.S. agricultural cooperatives
- U.S. state agencies
Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindbergh emphasized the value of the investment, noting that the AFTPP significantly boosts U.S. trade promotion capacity. Lindbergh explains that the program is “the $285 million program that essentially doubles our investment in those trade promotion programs that help sell our products. Many of our cooperators around the country that represent all of our different commodity groups, those folks get dollars from USDA to market their products overseas, participate in trade missions, organize their own trade missions, really go about the business of selling American agriculture.”
Expanding Into New and Non-Traditional Markets
The USDA encourages applicants to think creatively about how to expand the global footprint of American agriculture. According to the agency, “traditional USDA market development program recipients are encouraged to use this opportunity to propose new and innovative activities in non-traditional markets to generate increased export sales for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers.”
Virtually all U.S. agricultural commodities qualify for the AFTPP—with the sole exception of tobacco. This broad eligibility is intended to ensure that diverse sectors of American agriculture benefit from expanded marketing and trade outreach.
Application Details
Applications for the America First Trade Promotion Program are due February 22, 2026. Interested organizations can apply by submitting materials through grants.gov.
The AFTPP represents a significant opportunity for U.S. agricultural groups to expand international sales, build new trade relationships, and strengthen the global presence of American-grown products.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.