USDA’s ‘Farm Security Is National Security’ Plan Sparks Strong Support

At a press conference on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the National Farm Security Action Plan. As the second pillar of the USDA’s Make Agriculture Great Again initiative, the farm security plan seeks to protect American agriculture from foreign threats.

The 12-page plan detailed three key areas of emphasis:

1. Promote agricultural and economic prosperity by securing U.S. farmland, identifying gaps in the supply chain, and protecting the U.S. nutrition safety net.
2. Protect agriculture research and innovation by enhancing research security and evaluating USDA programs. 
3. Strengthen domestic agricultural productivity by safeguarding plant and animal health and protecting critical infrastructure. 

Rollins was joined by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and several members of Congress. Those attending and other ag leaders and organizations responded favorably to the farm security plan. Here’s a closer look at the statements made across the agriculture industry.

Cabinet Members

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

In a statement provided by the USDA, Hegseth stressed the threat of foreign land ownership.

“Foreign ownership of land near strategic bases and U.S. military installations poses a serious threat to our national security,” he said. “The Farm Security Plan will put America First and keep our bases across the homeland secure.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi

In the same statement, Bondi reinforced how the U.S. Justice Department will work in conjunction with the USDA. 

“Farm security is national security,” she said. “The Department of Justice will continue working to prosecute those who threaten American agriculture, investigate cases of potential agro-terrorism, and protect America’s farmers from illegal threats at home and abroad.”

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem said that food policy is national security policy. 

“A country who cannot feed itself, cannot take care of itself, and cannot provide for itself is not secure,” she said. “We have to be able to feed ourselves to make sure that no other country ever controls us. … We will never let any other country control our food supply or control our people because we will always be the great United States of America.”

Governors

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, has served as governor of that state since 2023.

“Arkansas led the nation in kicking Communist China off our farmland and out of our state because we understand that farm security is national security,” she said. “I applaud President Trump and Secretary Rollins for putting America first with this bold USDA Action Plan to protect our food supply, our economy, and our freedom.”

In 2023, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 636, restricting a “prohibited foreign-party-controlled business” from holding public or private land in the state. Following its passage, the state attorney ordered Syngenta Seeds to divest 160 acres.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee

Lee, a Republican, has served as governor of that state since 2019.

“Tennesseans know that our farmland is our national security, our economic future, and our children’s heritage,” he said. “The National Farm Security Action Plan puts America First by defending our farmland from foreign adversaries and protecting our food supply, and I thank the Trump Administration for its bold leadership.”

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen

Pillen, a Republican, has served as governor of that state since 2023.

“Thanks to these actions taken by President Trump and his team, we can further protect the backbone of Nebraska’s economy from foreign adversaries like China,” he said. “Homeland security starts at home, and we will continue to do our part in Nebraska.”

National Advocacy Groups

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) “has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.”

“America is blessed to have hundreds of thousands of family farms and ranches producing beef right here at home,” NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein said. “NCBA strongly agrees with Secretary Rollins that farm security is national security. We are pleased that [the] USDA is protecting our family farms and ranches, scrutinizing foreign acquisitions to ensure they don’t threaten American agriculture, protecting U.S. agricultural research from foreign adversaries, and bolstering animal health programs to prevent a foreign animal disease outbreak.”

In a statement released by the NCBA, CEO Colin Woodall continued: “The cattle industry faces no shortage of challenges, but threats like foreign animal disease and agriterrorism are what keeps us up at night. NCBA has previously worked with the FBI, Homeland Security, and other federal law enforcement to safeguard American agriculture. This announcement from Secretary Rollins, alongside Secretary Hegseth, Attorney General Bondi, and Secretary Noem, is welcomed news for America’s cattle producers. We look forward to working with USDA, the Department of Defense, and federal law enforcement partners to continue protecting America’s cattle industry.”

Federal Agriculture Leaders

Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson

As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture for more than a decade, Thompson (R-Pa.) called the effort historic.

“President Trump is using every tool at his disposal to keep our nation safe, and that includes securing our food supply,” he said. “This historic USDA effort reflects his clear understanding that food security is national security, and under his leadership, America’s farmers and families are safer and stronger.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville

Tuberville, a Republican, has represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate since 2021.

“Foreign adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are trying to get their foot in the door by buying up our farmland,” he said. “In my state of Alabama, we have the fourth-highest amount of foreign-owned land in the U.S. with 2.2 million acres. Not only is this dangerous for our farmers, but it’s disastrous for our national security. Thankfully, the Trump administration is taking action to secure our farmland and keep us safe from bad foreign actors.”

Senator Roger Marshall

Marshall, a Republican, has represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate since 2021.

“Farm security is national security, and it is imperative that we start recognizing this before it is too late,” he said. “President Trump understands this, and I applaud the work his administration has done to partner with Kansas agriculture and the biodefense industry to ensure that plant and animal diseases do not compromise our food supply.”

State Agriculture Leaders

Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward

Ward was elected to serve as the 3rd Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture.

“Under Governor Sanders’ leadership, Arkansas was the first state in the country to kick China off our farmland,” he said. “Thank you President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and Secretary Hegseth for what you are doing to stop our adversaries from destroying our country and for protecting the way of life that provides the food, fiber, fuel, and shelter that we all depend on every single day.” 

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper

Harper was elected to serve as the 17th Georgia Agriculture Commissioner.

“Agriculture is national security, period,” he said. “A nation that cannot feed itself, cannot defend itself, and I’m excited to work together with Sec. Rollins and Sec. Hegseth to champion policies that will strengthen U.S. farm security and protect our nation’s farmers, farmland, and food supply.”

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig

Naig was elected to serve as the 15th Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.

“I am grateful for Secretary Brooke Rollins’ bold leadership in advancing USDA’s Ag Security Agenda, which prioritizes safeguarding American agriculture and farmland from those who seek to undermine our nation’s food and energy security,” he said. “Iowa’s multi-generation family farms are the backbone of our state’s economy and way of life. For decades, Iowa has banned the foreign ownership of farmland, a law we strengthened in 2024, to preserve our agricultural integrity and security while balancing the need for foreign business investment in our state. I fully support Secretary Rollins’ and the Trump Administration’s efforts to bolster enforcement, increase reporting, and enhance transparency of land ownership laws at the national level to guarantee that our American farmland remains in the hands of Americans.”

Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell

Shell was elected to serve as the 36th Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner.

“The USDA’s leadership in developing this comprehensive plan shows a clear commitment to putting American farmers and ranchers first,” he said. “Protecting our farmland and food systems from foreign influence and biosecurity threats is critical not only to our agricultural economy but to the national security of the United States.”

Oklahoma Agriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur

Arthur was elected to serve as the 5th Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture.

“I applaud the foresight and leadership of Secretary Rollins and her colleagues to defend and strengthen American agriculture,” she said. “I look forward to supporting these efforts on behalf of our Oklahoma farmers and ranchers and all Americans who count on the safe, reliable, and nutritious food we produce in the United States.”

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.