By Jamie Martin
At the Commodity Classic Convention in San Antonio, Texas, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the “One Farmer One File” initiative, a modernization effort designed to simplify how farmers interact with USDA programs. The project will create a single record that follows a farmer across different agencies, reducing duplicate paperwork and improving service delivery.
“Every single day at USDA, our focus is on making life easier, more profitable and more rewarding for the American farmer. Our government for the people by the people should be modern, efficient, and respect taxpayer dollars,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“This modernization of old, duplicative, wasteful systems has one goal in mind, improve our customer service so the people we serve are able to farm and feed America and the world. ‘One Farmer, One File’ prevents our farmers from duplicating tasks while increases their productivity and time in the field,” said Rollins.
Farmers often work with multiple USDA agencies, including the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. These agencies provide support through farm numbers, acreage reporting, conservation programs, financing opportunities, and disaster assistance. The new system aims to bring these services together under one unified record so farmers can access programs more easily.
USDA officials explained that the modernization effort is intended to reduce administrative burdens on producers while also improving efficiency for agency staff. By replacing legacy systems and combining agency data, the project will reduce duplication and help lower long-term technology costs. The initiative began development in 2025, with further expansion expected in 2026 and completion planned for 2028.
The department also noted that this project is part of a larger effort to modernize agricultural services. Other improvements include using secure digital tools to speed up payment processing and simplifying conservation program applications, so producers can bundle practices that fit their operations.
While in Texas, USDA leadership also highlighted a broader deregulatory agenda focused on reducing unnecessary rules and encouraging innovation in agriculture. Officials said these actions aim to improve affordability and support farmers and consumers.
Overall, the One Farmer One File initiative reflects a move toward more efficient and farmer-focused government services. By creating a unified system, USDA aims to save time, improve program access, and help producers focus on running successful and productive farming operations.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brzozowska
Categories: National