USDA Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program

WASHINGTON, DC — January 16, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at the Congressionally created 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. The application deadline is March 8, 2026.

ICYMI: Secretary Rollins Pens Op-ed in The Hill “Healthy and Affordable Food Is Within Reach for All Americans”

(Washington, D.C., January 15, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins published an opinion piece in The Hill highlighting how the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030, are prioritizing real food while also offering a blueprint for a healthy diet that is within reach for all households, regardless of circumstance.

Whole Milk is Back: President Trump Signs Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act

(Washington, D.C., January 14, 2026) — Today, President Donald J. Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act in the Oval Office alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.

Registration is Now Open for USDA’s 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14, 2026 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that registration is now open for the 102nd Agricultural Outlook Forum. The event will be held at the Crystal City Gateway Marriott on Feb. 19-20, 2026, and all Forum sessions will be livestreamed on a virtual platform.

At Farm Bureau Convention, Secretary Rollins Announces Dairy Margin Coverage Expansion and Section 32 Purchases of U.S. Commodities

(Anaheim, CA, January 13, 2026) – Yesterday at the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced expanded enrollment for 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and new Section 32 commodity purchases that will result in more healthy, U.S. grown food in the hands of Americans.

USDA Names New Leadership of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

(Washington, D.C., January 12, 2026) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced important leadership changes within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Dr. Michael Watson, APHIS Administrator, will retire at the end of January after decades of distinguished service, and Dr. Rosemary Sifford, Deputy Administrator for Veterinary Services and U.S. Chief Veterinary Officer, has recently retired from federal service after a similarly notable career. Beginning on February 1, 2026, Ms.

ICYMI: Dr. Ben Carson and Dr. Oz Pen Joint Op-Ed in Newsweek “The Trump Administration Is Making America Healthy Again”

(Washington, D.C., January 9, 2026) – Dr. Ben Carson, USDA National Advisor for Nutrition, Health, and Housing, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), published an opinion piece in Newsweek outlining the actions the Trump Administration is taking to Make America Healthy Again through updating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030.

ICYMI: Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy Pen Joint Op-ed in Fox News “New Dietary Plan Recommends Real Food for All Americans”

(Washington, D.C., January 8, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a joint opinion piece in Fox News highlighting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, which call for Americans to eat real foods, including more protein, dairy, and vegetables, and reduce highly processed foods.

Kennedy, Rollins Unveil Historic Reset of U.S. Nutrition Policy, Put Real Food Back at Center of Health

(Washington, D.C., January 7, 2026) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030, marking the most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades. The new Guidelines deliver a clear, common-sense message to the American people: eat real food.

Secretary Rollins Announces New Slate of Political Appointments to USDA

(Washington, D.C., January 6, 2026) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a new slate of presidential appointments to key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).