$300M increase in USDA export funding

Aug 06, 2024
By Farms.com

USDA enhances support for global agricultural markets

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is injecting an additional $300 million into the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to further enhance the export potential of American farm and food products.

This move, announced by Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, aims to broaden the international footprint of U.S. agriculture by fostering access to new markets, thus supporting rural economic development and farm incomes.

Since its inception by the Administration, RAPP has sought to extend U.S. agricultural exports beyond its primary markets, with the initial funding round generating immense interest among U.S. producers and agribusinesses.

The program has allocated the first $300 million to 66 organizations for numerous market development projects, with a notable focus on expanding into underrepresented regions such as Africa.

This latest funding allocation underscores the USDA's commitment to not only advancing U.S. agricultural interests but also addressing global challenges like food security.

By setting aside significant resources for projects in high-growth regions, the USDA is actively working to diversify the markets for U.S. exports, which is critical in an era of changing climate and economic conditions.

The deadline for application submissions is set for early October, with the USDA planning to announce the allocations by the end of the year. This strategic funding initiative represents a crucial step towards achieving more resilient, productive, and equitable food systems both domestically and internationally.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.