WASHINGTON, D.C. — A wave of leadership changes, new farm safety net expansions, nutrition policy shifts, and workforce initiatives underscored a pivotal week at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as officials rolled out a broad agenda aimed at stabilizing farm incomes, strengthening food security, and reshaping agricultural policy under President Donald J. Trump.
On January 12, USDA announced major leadership transitions within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, one of the department’s most critical regulatory arms. APHIS Administrator Dr. Michael Watson will retire at the end of January after more than three decades of federal service, while Dr. Rosemary Sifford, deputy administrator for veterinary services and the nation’s chief veterinary officer, has already retired. Beginning February 1, Kelly Moore will serve as acting APHIS administrator, with Dr. Alan Huddleston assuming duties as acting U.S. chief veterinary officer. Dr. Adis Dijab will continue overseeing veterinary services operations to ensure continuity.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins praised Watson and Sifford as dedicated public servants who helped protect U.S. agriculture from foreign pests and animal diseases, including avian influenza and New World Screwworm. USDA officials said APHIS operations will continue uninterrupted, guided by science-based policies and experienced interim leadership.
The following day, Rollins used the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention to announce expanded enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage program for 2026, along with up to $80 million in new commodity purchases through USDA’s Section 32 authority. Enrollment for the DMC program opened January 12 and runs through February 26, 2026, offering dairy producers a strengthened safety net reauthorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, 2025.
Under the law, Tier 1 DMC coverage increased from five million to six million pounds of milk production, with producers given the option to lock in coverage for six years at a discounted premium. USDA said the program provides critical protection against volatile feed and milk prices, while Section 32 purchases of almonds, grape juice, pistachios, and raisins are expected to bolster farm markets and supply food banks nationwide.
USDA continued its forward-looking push on January 14, opening registration for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum, scheduled for February 19–20, 2026, at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott. The forum will feature economic forecasts, trade discussions under the Trump Administration’s agenda, and more than 20 breakout sessions addressing issues ranging from biofuels to artificial intelligence in agriculture. Sessions will also be livestreamed. Registration is available at https://reg.eventmobi.com/USDAOutlookForum2026, with additional information at https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-economist/agricultural-outlook-forum.
That same day, President Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, restoring access to whole milk in schools and aligning federal nutrition programs with the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030. USDA officials said implementation will begin immediately, with guidance issued to school nutrition administrators and rulemaking to follow. Rollins said the change supports both children’s nutrition and American dairy producers, noting recent declines in retail dairy prices.
On January 16, USDA opened applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program, aimed at students attending historically Black land-grant universities established under the Morrill Act of 1890. The program offers scholarships, paid internships, and educational support for students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, and natural resource sciences. Applications are due March 8, 2026, and can be submitted online at https://national-scholar-program.powerappsportals.us/.
Taken together, the announcements reflect a department moving aggressively on multiple fronts — from leadership succession and farm income protection to school nutrition, workforce development, and long-term market transparency — as USDA positions agriculture at the center of the administration’s economic and health priorities.
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