New markets, new opportunities - USDA grants fuel Ag exports

May 22, 2024

By Farms.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking a bold step to support American agriculture with a $300 million grant program. The Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) focuses on creating new export markets for U.S. food and farm products in regions with significant growth potential.

RAPP targets exciting markets in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and South and Southeast Asia, where consumer demand and purchasing power are on the rise. This initiative provides a platform for U.S. agriculture to tap into these promising opportunities.

"USDA is committed to building strong markets for U.S. producers," said Vilsack. "RAPP helps exporters reach new customers, boosting their competitiveness and resilience."

The initial round of RAPP funding supports a diverse range of projects. From promoting cranberries in India to expanding the market for Southern yellow pine in the Caribbean, RAPP grants are fostering new connections across the globe.

The program also supports market development for hazelnuts and dairy products in Africa. Additionally, the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Brewers Association will leverage RAPP funds to expand their reach in Africa and Southeast Asia, respectively.

By creating new export avenues, RAPP strengthens the U.S. agricultural sector and contributes to the economic well-being of rural communities. This innovative program paves the way for a brighter future for American agriculture and promotes global food security.

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.