The comprehensive plan addresses seven critical areas, demonstrating a holistic approach to farm security. These include direct measures to secure farmland, initiatives to enhance supply chain resilience, protecting the vital nutrition safety net, and defending agricultural research from external influence. This multi-pronged strategy reflects a proactive stance by the USDA to fortify the entire agricultural ecosystem against perceived threats, ensuring stability for American dairy farmers and the broader food system.

A key component of the USDA’s new strategy involves increasing transparency regarding land ownership. To facilitate this, the department is launching a dedicated portal for reporting foreign influence in agricultural land. While current data indicates that China owns less than 1% of foreign-held agricultural land in the U.S., the USDA expresses significant concern over its growing ownership, particularly in proximity to sensitive military bases. This focus highlights a strategic vigilance over foreign investment in critical agricultural infrastructure.

The “National Farm Security Action Plan” has garnered strong support from various state officials across the nation. These leaders emphasize the inextricable link between robust farm security and overall national security, underscoring the importance of protecting domestic food production capabilities. This bipartisan backing reflects a widespread consensus on the need to safeguard America’s agricultural foundation against potential vulnerabilities and ensure long-term food security.