The First 100 Days: How Trump's USDA is Radically Reshaping American Agriculture
USDA's First 100 Days: Canceling Climate Programs, Restricting SNAP, and Reshaping American Agriculture
What You'll Learn
How the USDA canceled the $3.1 billion Climate-Smart Commodities program
Why RFK Jr. is pushing states to ban soda purchases with SNAP benefits
What the new "lawfare" complaint portal means for farmers
How synthetic food dyes are being phased out of the American food supply
Which USDA funding programs are being redirected to align with new priorities
President Trump's Department of Agriculture, under Secretary Brooke Rollins, has implemented a series of transformative policy changes in its first 100 days that signal a fundamental shift in American agricultural policy.
From canceling climate initiatives to restricting food stamp purchases and establishing new protection mechanisms for farmers, these changes reflect a sweeping reorientation of federal agricultural priorities.
Climate-Smart Cancellation: From Environmental Focus to Producer Payments
On April 14, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced the cancellation of the $3.1 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program established during the Biden administration. The program had enrolled 14,000 farmers across 3.2 million acres but was criticized by the new administration for high administrative costs.
"The majority of these projects had sky-high administration fees which in many instances provided less than half of the federal funding directly to farmers," Rollins stated, characterizing the program as "largely built to advance the green new scam at the benefit of NGOs, not American farmers."
In its place, the USDA launched the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative with three core "Farmer First" requirements:
A minimum of 65% of federal funds must go directly to producers
Grant recipients must have enrolled at least one producer by December 31, 2024
Grant recipients must have made a payment to at least one producer by December 31, 2024
This change aligns with broader administration efforts to remove climate-focused language from government programs. Only projects meeting these criteria will continue receiving funding, with others terminated despite prior commitments.
SNAP Soda Ban: RFK Jr.'s Nutrition Initiative Takes Shape
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has launched a significant initiative to prevent Americans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from purchasing soda with their benefits. Working with governors from 24 states, Kennedy is encouraging applications for federal waivers to restrict sugary beverages from SNAP eligibility.
"I urge every Governor to follow West Virginia's lead and submit a waiver to the USDA to remove soda from SNAP. If there's one thing we can agree on, it should be eliminating taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower-income kids," Kennedy declared.
West Virginia was the first to sign a letter of intent requesting a federal waiver, followed quickly by Arizona's approval of House Bill 2165 calling for similar restrictions. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has requested a broader waiver to prohibit "soda, non-juice soda and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, unhealthy beverages, and candy."
The implementation requires USDA approval, creating an interesting dynamic between Kennedy's Health and Human Services Department and Rollins' USDA. Critics argue the ban unfairly targets low-income families and limits their autonomy, while supporters frame it as responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Farmer "Lawfare" Protection: New Complaint Portal Launched
On April 30, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced the creation of a web portal specifically designed for farmers, ranchers, and USDA customers to report complaints if they believe they have been targeted by "unfair and politically motivated lawfare originating under the Biden Administration."
The portal, accessible at www.usda.gov/lawfare, allows individuals to submit concerns about regulatory actions they believe were politically motivated rather than based on legitimate violations. The launch was prompted by a case involving Charles and Heather Maude, a South Dakota farm family who had been indicted on charges of "theft of federal property" over a dispute involving 25 acres of public lands adjacent to their property.
During the announcement, Rollins stated: "We are ending regulation by prosecution in America and investigating how and why this wrongful prosecution of an American ranching family ever occurred in the first place."
This initiative reflects a significant shift in how the federal government approaches disputes with agricultural producers, particularly regarding public lands management and regulatory enforcement.
Synthetic Dye Phase-Out: RFK Jr.'s Food Safety Initiative
In another sweeping announcement, Health Secretary Kennedy revealed plans on April 22, 2025, to gradually eliminate synthetic food dyes from the American food supply. The FDA will immediately prohibit two specific dyes—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within months, followed by a voluntary phase-out of six additional dyes by the end of 2026: FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Blue No. 2, and FD&C Green No. 3.
This initiative is part of Kennedy's broader "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, which includes efforts to remove artificial food dyes from the nation's food supply and ban ultra-processed foods from schools. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary framed the decision in stark terms: "For the past five decades, American children have been exposed to a hazardous mix of synthetic chemicals."
The policy builds on the previous administration's decision to ban Red Dye No. 3, accelerating its removal ahead of the original 2027-2028 deadline. While there is no legal requirement for industry compliance with the voluntary phase-out, Kennedy stated that "the industry has voluntarily consented."
Rural Energy Funding Redirection: REAP Program Modified
In January 2025, President Trump's executive order on American energy led to the freezing of projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, including payments to recipients of the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). On March 26, 2025, the USDA announced that previously obligated REAP funds would be released, but with significant conditions.
Recipients were invited to "voluntarily propose to change their projects" to better align with the administration's priorities, including removing references to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) and climate mandates. This shift represents a subtle but meaningful reorientation of rural development funding away from climate objectives and toward general rural infrastructure and energy independence.
Meanwhile, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is working to close local USDA offices around the country, raising concerns about farmers' access to services and benefits at a time when many are navigating complex policy changes.
On the Horizon: Additional Policy Shifts
Looking forward, several additional agricultural policy initiatives are taking shape:
USDA Office Closures: The Department of Government Efficiency is evaluating local USDA offices for potential closure, which could impact service delivery to rural communities.
EPA Climate Grant Cancellation: Although temporarily blocked by a federal judge, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's attempt to terminate $20 billion in climate change grants issued under the Inflation Reduction Act signals broader administration intentions toward environmental funding.
State-Level SNAP Restrictions: Additional states, including Ohio and Michigan, are introducing bills to prevent SNAP benefits from being used for soda purchases, building on Kennedy's initiative.
Stakeholder Reactions: Mixed Responses
Reactions to these sweeping changes have been predictably divided along political and industry lines. Laurie Fischer with the American Dairy Coalition expressed cautious optimism about the AMP initiative's emphasis on directing funding to farmers: "They're looking for as many opportunities as they can to be protective to the environment, but also they have to be able to cash flow."
However, U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree, a Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, criticized the approach as "another example of the chaos and confusion that have become hallmarks of the Trump Administration" and called the moves "petty and cruel."
The beverage industry has strongly opposed the SNAP soda restrictions. The American Beverage Association argued that "SNAP restrictions won't make anyone healthier or save taxpayer dollars," noting that beverage companies have already reduced sugar content and expanded low-calorie options.
Long-Term Implications for American Agriculture
These first 100 days signal a fundamental reorientation of American agricultural policy away from climate objectives and toward immediate producer benefits and reduced regulatory burdens. While addressing legitimate concerns about program efficiency and bureaucratic overhead, these changes create significant uncertainty for farmers who had planned investments based on expected program support.
The shift from "Climate-Smart Commodities" to "Advancing Markets for Producers" exemplifies this transition—maintaining a focus on market development but placing greater emphasis on ensuring financial benefits flow directly to producers rather than to program administration or climate-specific goals.
For the agricultural sector, navigating these policy shifts while responding to market demands for sustainable products presents both challenges and opportunities. As Secretary Rollins put it, her department is "putting farmers first" with "fewer bureaucrats and more boots on the ground."
Whether this approach will strengthen American agriculture's long-term resilience and competitiveness remains to be seen.
FAQs for Readers
Q: Will farmers who already received funding from canceled programs need to return it?
A: No. The USDA will honor all eligible expenses incurred prior to program cancellations, but no new funding will be available for programs that don't meet new criteria.
Q: How many states are currently seeking SNAP soda restrictions?
A: As of this writing, West Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, and Indiana are pursuing restrictions, with Ohio and Michigan considering legislation.
Q: What happens to farmers who believe they've been targeted by "lawfare"?
A: They can submit complaints through the new portal at www.usda.gov/lawfare, which allows anonymous submissions though the USDA cannot follow up with those who choose not to share contact information.
Q: Are synthetic food dyes being completely banned?
A: Two dyes (Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B) face immediate prohibition, while six others are subject to voluntary phase-out by the end of 2026. Red No. 3 is already being phased out under a previous decision.
Q: Will REAP funding continue for renewable energy projects?
A: Yes, but with modified terms. Recipients can access previously obligated funds but are encouraged to "voluntarily" remove references to climate objectives and DEIA initiatives.
About the Author: Ryan Griggs is the founder of The Regenaissance, a movement dedicated to rebuilding food sovereignty through regenerative agriculture, ancestral wisdom, and radical truth-telling.