EXCLUSIVE: As DOGE Works to Stop ‘Wasteful Spending,’ Ag Secretary Rollins Says Vital Farm Programs Aren’t at Risk

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has stormed Washington since President Donald Trump took office, working to uncover what it calls wasteful spending. That includes a comprehensive review of the money going out the door at USDA.

Before Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was even confirmed, DOGE produced findings from its initial review of USDA. Those findings were something Rollins highlighted during her first address to more than 400 USDA staffers and others immediately following her confirmation.

“I welcome DOGE’s efforts at USDA because we know that its work makes us better, stronger, faster and more efficient. I will expect full access and transparency to DOGE in the days and weeks to come,” said Secretary Rollins during her address.

According to Rollins, since Jan. 20, USDA has reviewed contracts, personnel, employee trainings and DEI programs. Based on that review, she announced USDA would terminated 78 contracts, which totaled more than $132 million, calling them “bold reforms.” That includes:

• Media contracts, including Politico subscriptions: $2.77 million
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Onboarding Specialist: $374,000
• Diversity Dialogue Workshops: $254,000
• International Development for Historically Underrepresented Communities: $298,000
• Brazilian Forest and Gender Consultant: $229,000
• Women and Forest Carbon Initiative Mentorship Program: $121,000

Just a week later, DOGE posted an update saying the current update at USDA include:

• 95 cancellations with savings of ~$115M (ceiling value of ~$235M)
• That includes two USDA contracts:
  
  • - $265k for a “food and nutrition service 3 day leadership retreat in Atlanta”
  • $30K for “Malaysia study tour facilitation services”

Secretary Rollins also providing an update Thursday, saying the agency canceled a $324,671 grant for “Increasing DEIA Programming for Integrated Pest Management.”

DOGE USDA
DOGE USDA took to X (formerly Twitter), seeking help and input from the public. That one post caused a flood of input, with more than 2,000 comments and suggestions. While some went as bold as asking DOGE USDA to abolish USDA reports, others asked DOGE to look into funding for solar on farmland and where the money has been spent to combat avian flu.

Are Farm Programs at Risk?

While farmers seem generally open to a USDA that wants to tackle waste, there’s also concern about what it could mean for crop insurance or other vital farm programs.

In an exclusive interview with Farm Journal during the 2025 Top Producer Summit, we asked Secretary Rollins how much push back she will have on DOGE and what assurances she can give producers that farm programs won’t be at risk.

“DOGE has brought, I think, a lot of excitement to all of America,” Rollins said. “I think there is not one person, except for maybe Elizabeth Warren and a few democrats ... everyone realizes at this moment in time in American history this is really important. Having said that, the United States Department of Agriculture, and since President Lincoln founded it in 1862, I believe, this agency is important to our farmers and ranchers with programs like the farm loans, etc., and imperative to a thriving rural America.”

Rollins also pointed to President Trump’s approval rating within the rural community, as another reason this USDA will work to protect those programs.

“The farmers and the ranchers have been with him since he came down the escalator in 2015. I sincerely believe that those programs that are essential to keeping those communities thriving and hopefully even more prosperous going forward, that we’ll work with those to ensure that there is an understanding of how important those are,” said Rollins.

Checkoff Programs and DOGE
When DOGE took to X to ask for input, there were several comments about DOGE investigating agricultural checkoff programs. According to Pro Farmer Washington Correspondent Jim Wiesemeyer, DOGE is reportedly actively reviewing agricultural checkoff programs as part of its broader initiative to evaluate and potentially reform agricultural policy and spending.

AgriTalk’s Chip Flory asked Rollins if Checkoffs had become a target for DOGE.

“That is to be determined,” Rollins said. “I have not even begun to look at those. I know we’ve got a team looking at them. We’re going to get through the next few weeks and then we’ll start evaluating.

According to Wiesemeyer, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service oversees 22 checkoff programs, which vary in legal authority and regulatory structure. Some operate under commodity-specific statutes, while others fall under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. State-level checkoff programs also exist, often independently from federal programs, covering commodities such as corn, rice, apples, and table grapes.

The Pros/Cons of Ag Checkoff Programs
Wiesmeyer reports agricultural checkoff programs provide collective marketing, research, and education benefits, but they also face criticism for transparency, fairness and mandatory participation.

Pros

• Market development: Expands markets and funds large-scale advertising.
• Research & innovation: Improves farming practices, technology, and sustainability.
• Education & trust: Enhances consumer confidence in agricultural products.
• Return on investment: Studies show benefits outweigh costs, with high benefit-to-cost ratios.

Cons

• Transparency issues: Small farmers criticize unclear fund allocation.
• Favoring large producers: Benefits may tilt towards larger operations.
• Mandatory fees: Farmers must contribute, even if they disagree.
• Potential misuse: Allegations of lobbying and mismanagement exist.
• Harm to specialty producers: Organic farmers may not benefit but still pay.
• Legal challenges: Constitutional disputes over mandatory participation.

Wiesemeyer reports while checkoff programs drive industry growth, concerns over equity and governance continue to spark debate and calls for reform.

Watch Rollins’ full interview with AgriTalk’s Chip Flory.

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