Grazing cattle in Ohio

After nearly 100 days of traveling the nation and visiting directly with hundreds of farmers across America, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins released the first set of policy proposals May 19, under her newly launched Make Agriculture Great Again Initiative. These initial proposals are a comprehensive set of policy solutions aimed at improving the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come. 

About 86% of all farms in the United States are small family farms. To ensure small family farmers can start and stay in business, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has outlined a toolkit of actions, including the streamlining of application processes; improving reliable access to credit, farmland, and markets; and appropriate business planning tools.

“America’s family farms help feed, fuel and clothe the world, but they also face some of the greatest challenges in getting their farms started and keeping them running. Putting Farmers First means addressing the issues farmers face head-on and fostering an economic environment that doesn’t put up roadblocks on business creation but removes them,” Rollins said. “Today’s policy agenda is tailored specifically to support small-scale farms to thrive for generations to come. President Trump knows America’s economic prosperity depends on the success of our farmers and ranchers. That is why we are working to ensure those who want to start and keep their own farms for generations to come are able to.”

The Small Family Farms Policy Agenda provides actionable solutions to a variety of challenges faced by small family farmers:

  1. Ensure Simple Streamlined and Transparent Tools and Applications
  2. Ensure Reliable Access to Credit
  3. Ensure Working Farmland is Used to Farm
  4. Ensure Small Farms Can Be Passed On to the Next Generation for Generations to Come
  5. Hyperfocus USDA Programs for Farmers on Farmers
  6. Labor Reform
  7. Enhance Access to Risk Management and Business Planning Tools
  8. Ensure Definitions of Farm Size Reflect Modern Day Realities
  9. Enhance Farmer Access to Educational Resources
  10. Other Small Farm Resources Available

This policy rollout builds on the Farmers First Roundtable event recently held at USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., where the secretary met with and heard from more than 20 farmers and ranchers from 11 states who run smaller-scale, family-owned operations, as well as Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Board of Directors about challenges facing smaller-scale family farms across America.

“We thank Secretary Rollins for recognizing the critical role small farmers and ranchers play in America’s food supply chain. Almost 90% of farms in America are classified as small farms, and nearly all of them are family-owned. That’s why Farm Bureau has been such a strong advocate for their success,” said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.

“Unfortunately, the 2022 Census of Agriculture shows 141,000 farms went out of business in a five-year period, and we’ve lost even more since the report was released. Our nation’s food security depends on farms of all sizes, but the reality is, it is getting more difficult for smaller farms to survive these tough economic times. We look forward to learning more about Secretary Rollins’ plan and working with USDA to ensure farm families don’t just endure, but thrive, so they can continue to grow the food every family in America relies on.”

Farm Bureau submitted a letter to USDA outlining policy recommendations that support small producers. Read the full letter here.

New and beginning farmers
My first recommendation in your journey is to start out with a local farming friend or mentor along with joining an organization like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Greg McGlinch's avatar
Greg McGlinch

Darke County Farm Bureau

Growing Tomorrow Grant
We’re just so thankful for the Farm Bureau and the foundation for helping put this together. And of course, the Boyert family for the vision they had with this grant. It’s jumping us forward 10 years. It’s unbelievable.
Nathan and Jill Parriman's avatar
Nathan and Jill Parriman

Clermont County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
Gretchan Francis's avatar
Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Youth pathways in Farm Bureau
It wasn’t until I joined the Wilmington College Collegiate Farm Bureau that I truly saw how my passion could translate into leadership, advocacy and a career.
Wyatt Morrow's avatar
Wyatt Morrow

Clinton County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Select Partner Program
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
Chad Ruhl's avatar
Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Advocacy
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

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