By Jamie Martin
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins recently visited Nebraska alongside Governor Jim Pillen, Representative Adrian Smith, and State Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton.
The group toured key agricultural sites, including the Cargill Bioscience Complex, Wholestone Farms’ pork processing facility, and the Ohnoutka family farm.
The visit also featured a Farmers First roundtable, where Secretary Rollins introduced the USDA’s Farmers First: Small Family Farms Policy Agenda, aimed at supporting the sustainability and future of smaller-scale family farms.
A major announcement during the visit included a landmark waiver signed by Secretary Rollins and Governor Pillen to change the definition of food eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Nebraska.
The amendment removes soda, soft drinks, and energy drinks from the list of eligible items, focusing SNAP support on healthier food options.
“Nebraska is helping to lead the nation in agriculture! Great to meet with the farmers, ranchers, and producers from the Cornhusker State who are working to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are returning USDA to a Farmers First department, and that starts with giving farmers a seat at the table,” said Secretary Rollins.
“Our family-owned farms and ranches are at the heart of agriculture in America and are the backbone of the economy in states like Nebraska. Generations of producers have passed down the love of farming, strongly-rooted values, and common-sense stewardship of our land and water to the next generation," said Jim Pillen, Governor of Nebraska.
"I’m glad that Secretary Rollins and the USDA are highlighting the value and importance of family owned and small operations as part of our efforts to put Farmers First. I look forward to this tremendous initiative, and I am thrilled that she chose to launch it from a family farm right here in Nebraska.”
To support Nebraska farmers, the USDA has distributed over $504 million through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for 2024.
Additionally, $26.5 million in grant funding is available through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), which helps strengthen direct-to-consumer food markets and value-added agricultural ventures.
Secretary Rollins also reaffirmed USDA’s commitment to streamlining regulatory processes, particularly for pork and poultry producers, to enhance efficiency without compromising food safety.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National