Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Wholestone Farms’ pork processing facility in Fremont, Neb., on May 19 with Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen, Representative Adrian Smith and Agriculture Director Sherry Vinton.
“It was an exciting day at our Fremont facility today as Gov. Jim Pillen, U.S Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith all stopped by to take a tour of our plant and announce the roll out of policy aimed at strengthening the viability of smaller-scale family farms along with other ag related topics,” Wholestone Farms shared on Facebook.
After studying the needs and current state of the farm economy, Secretary Rollins launched a policy plan to improve the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come. USDA also made $26.5 million available in grant funding through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP) which supports the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing; local and regional food markets and enterprises; and value-added agricultural products for farmers and ranchers.
“We are honored to be a part of an announcement that backs who we are to our core and we’re excited for the future of American farm families,” Wholestone Farms wrote.
A Seat at the Table
According to USDA, the Farmers First: Small Family Farms Policy Agenda is designed to improve the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come.
“Nebraska is helping to lead the nation in agriculture,” Rollins said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are returning USDA to a Farmers First department, and that starts with giving farmers a seat at the table.”
As we mark 163 years since the signing of the Homestead Act, agriculture remains the economic driver of Nebraska and the nation’s Heartland, Smith said in a release.
“USDA’s new Farmers First strategy will expand markets, deliver regulatory relief, promote long-term certainty and ensure the accessibility of USDA resources for American farming families working tirelessly to feed and fuel the world,” Smith added.
In addition to a tour of the pork processing facility, the group toured Cargill Bioscience Complex and Ohnoutka family farm.
A Historic Moment for SNAP
Secretary Rollins also signed a historic waiver with Gov. Pillen to amend the statutory definition of food for purchase by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from “any food or food product for home consumption” to exclude soda, “soft drinks” and energy drinks.
“There’s absolutely zero reason for taxpayers to be subsidizing purchases of soda and energy drinks,” Pillen said. “SNAP is about helping families in need get healthy food into their diets, but there’s nothing nutritious about the junk we’re removing with today’s waiver. I’m grateful to have worked with Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration to get this effort across the finish line. It is a tremendous step toward improving the health and well-being of our state.”
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