USDA Sets New Research Priorities to Strengthen American Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant shift in its research and development focus following the signing of a new memorandum by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. The memorandum establishes updated priorities for USDA-funded research, emphasizing national security, the protection of U.S. agriculture, and stronger support for farmers and consumers across the country.
According to the USDA, these priorities are designed to ensure that American agriculture remains competitive, resilient, and productive in the face of global and domestic challenges. The initiative also reinforces the department’s long-standing role in advancing agricultural innovation through science and education.
Secretary Rollins highlighted the historical foundation of this effort, stating, “When he created the People’s Department and the land-grant university system in 1862, President Lincoln had a vision for American agriculture rooted in agricultural innovation and education. Since that time, research coming from USDA and our colleges of agriculture have successfully helped American farmers and ranchers address countless challenges. The priorities we are announcing today further reiterates President Trump’s commitment to put Farmers First and provides our agricultural researchers with a strategic roadmap to help keep our producers at the forefront of productivity.”
The newly announced USDA research priorities focus on five core areas:
- Increasing profitability of farmers and ranchers
- Expanding markets and creating new uses of U.S. agricultural products
- Protecting the integrity of American agriculture from invasive species
- Promoting soil health to regenerate long-term land productivity
- Improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality
Together, these goals aim to strengthen the agricultural supply chain while supporting long-term sustainability and innovation.
The Department of Agriculture emphasized that this memorandum builds on ongoing efforts by the administration, stating, ” Since January, the Trump Administration has been working nonstop to strengthen the farm safety net, create new export opportunities for American commodities, lower the cost of critical agricultural inputs, and root out DEI from all USDA programs. However, strategic investments in agricultural research and development will help American farmers and ranchers increase profitability while continuing to provide consumers with the safest, most abundant, and most affordable food and fiber supply in the world for decades to come.”
By aligning research investments with these strategic priorities, the USDA aims to deliver measurable benefits to producers while ensuring food security and affordability for consumers nationwide.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.