By: Rachel Dahl
USDA, Department of War Expand Farm Security Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is continuing to position American agriculture as a matter of national security, formalizing a new partnership with the Department of War aimed at protecting the nation’s food system.
Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for the two agencies to work more closely together under the National Farm Security Action Plan.
That plan, launched in July 2025, marked the first time U.S. agriculture was formally elevated as a national security priority, bringing together multiple federal agencies to address risks tied to farmland, supply chains, and food system resilience. Officials say the initiative has already delivered measurable results in the months since its rollout.
Since then, USDA has taken steps to strengthen oversight of foreign investment in agricultural land, reinforce research protections, and secure key inputs tied to food production. Those efforts are aimed at reducing vulnerabilities and improving long-term stability across the ag sector.
The newly signed agreement builds on that foundation by expanding coordination between USDA and Department of War agencies. One of the first initiatives under the partnership connects USDA with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), focusing on identifying vulnerabilities and developing technology-driven solutions to emerging threats.
According to USDA, the collaboration will center on sharing information about security risks, advancing new research, and exchanging personnel between agencies to accelerate innovation and improve preparedness across the agricultural system.
Federal officials have pointed to a range of concerns driving the effort, including cyberattacks, foreign land ownership, and broader biosecurity risks. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about foreign entities purchasing farmland near sensitive military sites, adding another layer of urgency to the issue.
For producers, the long-term impact will depend on how these policies take shape on the ground. For now, the direction is clear: agriculture is increasingly being treated not just as an economic driver, but as a critical component of national security and infrastructure.
Photo Credit: Karla Gitlitz