USDA’s February 2025 Lending Rates for Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2025, which became effective Feb. 3. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency …

Brooke L. Rollins Sworn in as Secretary of Ag

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a private ceremony on Thursday at the Supreme Court building. The U.S. Senate confirmed Rollins by a vote of 72 to 28. “It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the nation’s …

USDA Announces $300 Million in Additional RAPP Grants to Diversify Ag Export Markets

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, which will allocate $300 million to 67 partners once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied, expanding American food and agricultural exports in emerging global markets. This latest investment brings total RAPP funding to $600 million in 2024. The new …

USDA Invests to Strengthen Farms; Increase Competition and Lower Costs

Clint ThompsonUSDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for farmers and lower food costs for consumers. It includes Georgia. “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” Vilsack said. “Through today’s …

MASC Program Applications Accepted Through Jan. 8

Clint ThompsonUSDA

Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …

Farm Service Agency: MASC Program Applications Accepted Through Jan. 8, 2025

Clint ThompsonUSDA

Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …

Brooke Rollins Tapped to Lead USDA

Frank GilesAgribusiness, USDA

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in his second term. Currently, Rollins serves as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. Rollins was formerly director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for Strategic Initiatives in the White House under President Donald Trump, where …

USDA’s Farm Service Agency to Host Nov. 25 Disaster Assistance Webinar for Florida Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida invites farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who were impacted by recent hurricanes to participate in a webinar focused on available FSA disaster recovery resources.  “The Farm Service Agency is here to help Florida agriculture recover from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” said Deborah …

USDA Announces More Than $2 Billion to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. The new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to …

New Administration Means New Ag Secretary

Clint ThompsonUSDA

By Clint Thompson President Donald Trump’s re-election last week means a new administration for the next four years. That includes a new Secretary of Agriculture with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tom Vilsack has served as ag secretary since 2021 under President Joe Biden. Trump’s first secretary of agriculture was Sonny Perdue. Now the question becomes, who will be …