USDA Announces $200M for Forest Management, Expedites Disaster Aid and Streamlines Leadership

This week’s biggest headline from the Department of Agriculture is the announcement of a massive $200 million investment in the Forest Service’s National Active Forest Management Strategy. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says this initiative will boost timber harvests, enhance wildfire resilience, and improve ecosystem health across millions of acres, marking one of the most ambitious forest management pushes in recent years. Secretary Rollins emphasized, “Managing our forests actively and responsibly is key to protecting rural economies, wildlife, and water quality for generations to come.”

Alongside this, USDA continues to expedite support for those hit hardest by disaster. After a May 7 announcement, $21 billion in disaster assistance is being rolled out, with payments for livestock relief reaching farmers ahead of schedule. This contrasts with prior years, when some programs took more than a year to deliver aid. USDA officials highlight that these rapid payments are critical for keeping family farms afloat in times of drought and wildfire. However, not all is smooth: Secretary Rollins has called out some states for politicizing disaster aid, urging them to cooperate for the sake of their own producers.

There’s also movement on the leadership front. This week, Steve Brown was appointed as Indiana’s new State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency. Secretary Rollins said of the new appointees, “When America’s farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives.” These leadership shifts reflect ongoing efforts to align USDA’s work with its “Farmers First” agenda, supporting local producers and ensuring programs stay responsive.

For the farm economy, the new June 2025 lending rates are now live. Direct operating loans stand at 5%, with down payment rates at a very competitive 1.75%. These rates give producers access to crucial capital, helping them invest in equipment, storage, and land.

On school nutrition, no changes will hit menus for the upcoming school year, but schools should prepare for new standards rolling out gradually from fall 2025 to 2027, including a one-step sodium reduction. These updates were crafted with feedback from schools and food companies to ensure a smooth transition for kids and staff.

The impacts ripple out: Americans can expect increased wildfire prevention and healthier forests, faster disaster aid for farmers, and steady school nutrition improvements. Businesses, from timber to equipment suppliers, may see new opportunities, while state and local partners are urged to coordinate closely with USDA. Internationally, USDA is strengthening ties—recently opening Costa Rica’s dairy market to U.S. producers and ramping up cooperation with Mexico on combating agricultural pests.

Coming up, watch for more details on the deployment of disaster relief funds and public comment periods on school meal standards. Citizens and producers can engage through their local USDA Service Centers and online tools, or find real-time updates on the USDA website. If you’re a producer affected by disaster or interested in new loan options, reach out now—your feedback shapes policy and delivery. Stay tuned as USDA rolls out major investments and continues to put “Farmers First.”