Agriculture Secretary offers $1 billion drought relief while fueling climate crisis

On Jun. 24, 2025, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a $1 billion drought relief package for livestock producers impacted by 2023–2024 droughts and wildfires, funded by remaining American Relief Act dollars.

The 2025-2029 Trump Administration simultaneously eliminated USDA climate adaptation programs and rolled back EPA methane regulations for cattle operations, measures experts say worsen future drought risk.

Government audits (GAO-20-374) find that 75 percent of USDA disaster payments go to the largest 10 percent of agricultural operations, leaving most family ranchers with minimal support.

The Administration cut $2.8 billion from USDA conservation programs that fund climate adaptation measures—such as water-efficient grazing and drought-resistant crops—undermining long-term resilience.

According to the Department of Labor’s National Agricultural Workers Survey, 42 percent of U.S. crop farmworkers are undocumented, making immigration policy a key factor in farm labor stability.

USDA conservation programs (NRCS) support practices like efficient irrigation, soil-health improvements, drought-resistant seed varieties, and sustainable grazing systems to reduce future drought losses.

The $1 billion relief uses leftover American Relief Act dollars rather than new congressional appropriations, effectively reallocating existing funds rather than increasing overall climate adaptation budgets.