Letter
Dear Secretary Rollins:
We, the undersigned members of the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA), appreciate your commitment to advancing practical, producer-led solutions that strengthen American agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, and forest owners are eager to build on USDA’s strong record of supporting voluntary conservation and market-driven innovation that improves productivity, profitability, and long-term land stewardship. We recognize that the funding lapse created operational challenges for USDA staff across headquarters and the field, and we appreciate the Department’s work to quickly restore normal operations.
As the Department resumes normal operations, we urge the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Forest Service to move forward with award announcements for critical programs that enhance both environmental and economic outcomes for U.S. agriculture and forestry, including the Advancing Markets for Producers Program and the Wood Innovations Grants. Continued delays create real challenges for producers who depend on consistent program timelines to manage risk and sustain their operations. Producers, cooperatives, and agribusiness partners are making operational and investment decisions now, and timely communication from USDA will provide the certainty needed to move forward.
We also encourage USDA to move quickly to open applications for additional opportunities, particularly:
- The Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which leverages local leadership and private investment to expand voluntary conservation on working lands; and
- A new regenerative agriculture pilot program, which will reward producers who invest in improved soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat through practical conservation approaches.
Together, these programs reflect the Department’s focus on empowering producers to lead the way in conserving our natural resources while keeping American agriculture strong and competitive. We appreciate your continued partnership and your commitment to ensuring USDA programs work as intended: to serve producers, strengthen rural economies, and support the long-term resiliency of America’s land and resources.
Sincerely,
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Mushroom Institute
American Rivers Action Fund
American Society of Agronomy
Biological Products Industry Alliance
California Farm Bureau Federation
CropLife America
Crop Science Society of America
Ducks Unlimited
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Policy Innovation Center
Evangelical Environmental Network
Farm Credit Council
Independent Professional Seed Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Fresh Produce Association
Michigan Farm Bureau Federation
National Alliance of Forest Owners
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of University Forest Resources Programs
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Hemp Association
National Potato Council
Pheasants Forever
Pollinator Partnership
Quail Forever
Society of American Foresters
Soil Science Society of America
The Nature Conservancy
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
