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WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced several steps that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking to support America's farmers in response to ongoing challenges across the agricultural sector. These actions include a series of data modernization, payment flexibility, and enhanced crop insurance options to benefit farmers.
"When I travel across farm country, I hear the same message over and over: producers want a USDA that works for them. The Trump USDA is focused on making changes that improve the livelihood of our great farmers. I am pleased to announce three critical initiatives to support farmers and U.S. agriculture broadly," Rollins said. "We're modernizing how USDA serves farmers, providing commonsense flexibility when it's needed most, and strengthening the risk management tools producers depend on. We will continue listening, acting, and putting farmers first because that's exactly what President Trump has directed us to do."
Data modernization
Last month, Rollins announced that USDA is working on a Data Modernization Plan across multiple agencies that will be released later this year. The Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area, under the leadership of Under Secretary Scott Hutchins, will coordinate the effort across USDA.
Payment flexibilities
While at Minnesota Farmfest, Secretary Rollins also announced the USDA Risk Management Agency is authorizing Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to provide producers with up to 60 additional days to pay crop insurance premiums, administrative fees, and amounts due under Written Payment Agreements with scheduled premium billing dates between July 1, 2026, and Sept. 30, 2026.
During this extended period, AIPs may waive interest charges. Interest will begin accruing for unpaid premium and administrative fees only after the end of the additional 60-day period or upon reaching the policy's termination date, whichever occurs first.
To further support these efforts, RMA will defer collection of unpaid producer premiums and administrative fees from AIPs and waive associated interest beginning with the August monthly accounting cycle.
Prevented planting coverage
Additionally, RMA is reinstating the option for insured producers to purchase an additional 5% prevented planting coverage beginning with crops associated with the Aug. 31, 2026, filing date for the 2027 and succeeding crop years. This added coverage enhances producers' ability to manage risk in situations where extreme weather or other conditions prevent normal planting.
These actions underscore RMA's commitment to supporting farmers and ranchers by providing needed flexibility and strengthening coverage options during a challenging period for American agriculture. AIPs will notify affected policyholders directly regarding these relief measures.
Producers should contact their local crop insurance agent or visit the RMA website for guidance on how these updates may affect coverage options.
RMA supports American agriculture by providing world-class risk management tools through Federal crop insurance and education programs, offering coverage for more than 130 crops and continuously improving policies based on producer feedback.