{"id":27925,"date":"2026-02-26T10:46:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/agriculture-secretary-says-federal-programs-strengthening-farm-economy-in-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T10:46:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T15:46:06","slug":"agriculture-secretary-says-federal-programs-strengthening-farm-economy-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/agriculture-secretary-says-federal-programs-strengthening-farm-economy-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Agriculture Secretary Says Federal Programs Strengthening Farm Economy in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772120765276.png?resize=1024%2C589&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-27924\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772120765276.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772120765276.png?resize=300%2C173&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772120765276.png?resize=768%2C442&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>The nation&#8217;s farming sector is experiencing positive growth as 2026 begins, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Speaking at a Wednesday afternoon news briefing, Rollins announced that the Department of Agriculture has launched registration for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.<\/p><p>&#8220;Providing $11 billion in targeted support,&#8221; Rollins stated during the announcement. The secretary also highlighted the department&#8217;s extensive disaster relief efforts, noting &#8220;We&#8217;ve administered over 25 different disaster block grants with states and processors.&#8221;<\/p><p>The announcement signals federal commitment to supporting agricultural communities through both direct assistance and disaster recovery initiatives as the farming industry continues to navigate economic challenges.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that U.S. farming is gaining strength in early 2026. She highlighted the opening of a new $11 billion federal assistance program and the distribution of disaster relief funds to states and processors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":27924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[862],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772120765276.png?fit=1024%2C589&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-7gp","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":29093,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/iowa-senator-supports-agriculture-secretarys-plan-to-sell-usda-building\/","url_meta":{"origin":27925,"position":0},"title":"Iowa Senator Supports Agriculture Secretary&#8217;s Plan to Sell USDA Building","author":"Admin","date":"February 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa is endorsing Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' proposal to sell the USDA's South Building. The Republican lawmaker claims the facility is largely empty and no longer necessary for the department's operations.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Politics&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Politics","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/politics\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772235940637.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772235940637.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772235940637.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772235940637.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1772235940637.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26649,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/agriculture-secretary-addresses-farmer-concerns-over-usda-data-collection\/","url_meta":{"origin":27925,"position":1},"title":"Agriculture Secretary Addresses Farmer Concerns Over USDA Data Collection","author":"Admin","date":"February 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledged growing questions from farmers nationwide about how the USDA collects and reports agricultural data. Speaking at the Ag Outlook Forum, she emphasized the need for greater accuracy and transparency in the agency's market reporting processes.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Agriculture&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Agriculture","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/agriculture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771969571547.jpg?fit=500%2C375&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17410,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wicomico-county-applauds-new-federal-policy-to-protect-farmland\/","url_meta":{"origin":27925,"position":2},"title":"Wicomico County Applauds New Federal Policy to Protect Farmland","author":"admin","date":"August 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"SALISBURY, MD \u2014 Wicomico County is celebrating a significant policy shift announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke L. Rollins, aimed at preserving prime farmland. On August 19, 2025, in Lebanon, Tennessee, Secretary Rollins unveiled a new USDA policy that will no longer allow taxpayer funds to support solar panels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rollins-gio.jpg?fit=413%2C340&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27255,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/agriculture-secretary-announces-plan-to-sell-usda-south-building\/","url_meta":{"origin":27925,"position":3},"title":"Agriculture Secretary Announces Plan to Sell USDA South Building","author":"Admin","date":"February 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that the USDA will put its South Building up for sale as part of ongoing reorganization efforts. 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