USDA Overhauls Regulations, Boosts Disaster Relief, and Tackles Foreign Farmland Threats

The most significant headline from the Department of Agriculture this week: Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has taken bold new steps to protect American farmland and food supply by launching the National Farm Security Action Plan. This plan is designed to confront the real and growing threats posed by foreign adversaries—ranging from farmland purchases to cyberattacks on our food system. According to the USDA, a new searchable Foreign Farm Land Purchases map has just gone live, making it easier for the public and policymakers to see what’s at stake. In her own words, Secretary Rollins emphasized, “Gone are the days of foreign adversaries taking advantage of our farmland, farmers, and programs paid for by American taxpayers…We will continue to restore farm security and expose the extent to which our adversaries have targeted American agriculture.”

Security is just one pillar of this week’s activity. The USDA also announced it is streamlining environmental regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), rescinding seven agency-specific rules that had created a tangle of red tape. Secretary Rollins said these changes will cut regulations by 66%, allowing rural communities to speed up projects like infrastructure and energy development, while still honoring the department’s legacy of land stewardship. This regulatory shift is aimed at making the USDA more responsive, efficient, and focused on essential services for farmers and ranchers across the country.

Budget priorities have also shifted with over $16 billion in disaster relief headed to farmers hit by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The Supplemental Disaster Relief Program opens first-stage applications this week, promising faster turnaround and simplified paperwork. Over $7.8 billion has already reached more than half a million producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, highlighting the scale of federal support.

For those in the agricultural business, lending rates for July 2025 have also been set. The Farm Service Agency’s Operating Loans are at 5.000%, while Ownership Loans are 5.875%. For new and beginning farmers, special down payment loans carry an even lower 1.875% interest. These rates are vital for planning and expansion, especially as weather-related uncertainties continue to impact market conditions.

Nutrition and public health remain front and center, with changes to school meal standards phased in over the next two years. Schools will not need to adjust menus for the coming academic year, but starting July 2025, stricter limits on added sugars in certain foods will take effect, followed by more comprehensive sodium and sugar reductions by 2027. The USDA is working closely with states and local governments to ensure a smooth transition, providing funding for kitchen equipment, training, and technical support.

These developments have direct impacts on families—making school meals healthier and safer, safeguarding jobs in rural economies, and ensuring farmers can recover from disasters more quickly. For businesses, streamlined regulations mean less waiting and more opportunity for investment. States gain new tools for protecting farmland and monitoring foreign ownership. Internationally, these moves signal a more assertive U.S. stance on food security and fair trade.

Listeners interested in these programs or wanting to report concerns, especially related to foreign purchases of farmland, can visit the new USDA web portal. Farmers needing disaster relief should contact their local FSA office, and families curious about changing school meals can reach out to district nutrition professionals.

As deadlines approach for disaster assistance and the rollout of new security measures, we’ll be watching closely for further updates from Secretary Rollins and the USDA. For more information on any of these initiatives, check out the USDA’s official site o