USDA Launches Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new initiative aimed at addressing what it describes as “agricultural lawfare” — the use of legal and regulatory actions that negatively impact farmers and ranchers.

Announced February 11 in Washington, D.C., the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework outlines a four-part plan focused on reducing regulatory pressure, protecting private property rights and defending producers from politically motivated enforcement actions.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins introduced the framework alongside other federal officials and agricultural stakeholders.

“As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, it is high time to recall a simple but profound truth about our nation: the United States was built by those who work the land. And the ability to work, protect and own land and property continues to symbolize the American dream today,” said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “The strength of America has always been rooted in the hands that till its soil and care for its livestock. When we protect our farmers and ranchers, we protect the very foundation of freedom and prosperity. Together, we will ensure that no law, no regulation and no agenda will ever stand in the way of America’s agricultural future.”

What Is Agricultural Lawfare?

USDA defines agricultural lawfare as the use of administrative, legal and legislative government systems to adversely impact farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers.

According to USDA, the new framework formalizes ongoing efforts to eliminate what it considers systemic lawfare and reduce production costs for producers.

The Framework’s Four Pillars

The Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework centers on four key priorities:

• Protect Producers: Defend farmers and ranchers from internal federal bureaucracy and politically motivated enforcement actions.
• Preserve Land and Liberty: Safeguard agricultural land from federal projects and eminent domain actions.
• Purge Burdensome Regulations: Remove punitive rules and reform environmental laws to balance conservation and productivity.

Partner for Agriculture’s Future: Coordinate with federal, state and local leaders, along with industry partners, to address lawfare and raise awareness.

Actions USDA Says It Has Taken

USDA highlighted several cases it describes as early “lawfare wins,” including:

• Protecting family farms: Stopping an attempted eminent domain seizure of the 175-year-old Henry family farm in Cranbury, New Jersey.
• Ending a prosecution: Dropping a Biden-era criminal case against the Maude family involving a civil land boundary dispute.
• Preventing farmland seizure: Working with Tennessee stakeholders to halt the Tennessee Valley Authority’s proposed acquisition of farmland in Cheatham County for a natural gas power plant.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum also addressed grazing permit stability on Bureau of Land Management lands.

“Just as Energy Dominance is essential to America’s national security, so too is food security,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “The Department of the Interior is committed to cutting through red tape to restore stability to grazing permittees on BLM lands, and reopening long-shuttered allotments to ensure America’s producers can thrive. Under President Donald J. Trump, we are ending the weaponization of government against those who feed and clothe our families. By standing with farmers and ranchers, we safeguard not only our agricultural heritage but the very foundation of freedom and prosperity. Together, we will protect the land, defend liberty and secure a future where American agriculture remains strong and unshaken.”

Where Farmers Can Learn More

USDA has published the full Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework online. Producers can also report instances of agricultural lawfare directly through the department’s website.

More information is available at:
www.usda.gov/lawfare