The Trump Administration has announced a new initiative aimed at strengthening the role of American agriculture in national security. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, introduced the USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan as part of the Make Agriculture Great Again initiative.
The plan seeks to address threats from foreign adversaries and bolster the resilience of the United States' food and agricultural systems. "We feed the world. We lead the world. And we’ll never let foreign adversaries control our land, our labs, or our livelihoods," said Secretary Rollins.
Recent incidents have underscored the need for such measures, including charges against foreign nationals for smuggling a harmful fungus into the country—a potential agroterrorism weapon. The plan aims to protect American farmland from foreign ownership, enhance supply chain resilience, defend agricultural research and innovation, and safeguard plant and animal health.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that "foreign ownership of land near strategic bases and US military installations poses a serious threat to our national security." Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that "farm security is national security."
Secretary Noem highlighted that "food policy is national security policy," while Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised efforts to remove foreign influence from farmland in Arkansas.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed gratitude for federal leadership in defending farmland from foreign adversaries. Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen noted that homeland security begins with protecting local resources.
Senator Tommy Tuberville pointed out concerns over foreign-owned land in Alabama, while Senator Roger Marshall stressed the importance of recognizing farm security as national security.
House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson commended President Trump's efforts to secure food supplies. Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward thanked leaders for their actions against adversaries.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper expressed excitement about policies strengthening farm security. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig supported efforts to enforce land ownership laws nationally.
Kentucky Commissioner Jonathan Shell praised USDA's commitment to protecting farmers and ranchers, while Oklahoma Secretary Blayne Arthur applauded leadership in defending American agriculture.
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