USDA Leaders Tout Tech Upgrades, Streamlined Programs at Commodity Classic

Undersecretary Fordyce, FSA's Beam, NRCS' Bettencourt, and RMA's Swanson highlight farmer-focused initiatives under second Trump administration.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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U.S. Department of Agriculture leaders delivered an upbeat update to a crowd at the Commodity Classic trade show, emphasizing technology upgrades, streamlined programs, and a renewed 'farmer-first' focus under the second Trump administration. Undersecretary Richard Fordyce, FSA Administrator Bill Beam, NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt, and RMA Administrator Pat Swanson detailed initiatives like the new Farmer Bridge Assistance program, acreage reporting modernization, updates to core conservation programs, and crop insurance enhancements.

Why it matters

The USDA updates at Commodity Classic highlight the agency's efforts to leverage technology, reduce bureaucracy, and better serve farmers under the current administration. These initiatives aim to streamline processes, improve program delivery, and provide more direct support to agricultural producers.

The details

Undersecretary Fordyce noted the creation of FPAC to unite the three most farmer-facing USDA agencies: FSA, NRCS, and RMA. He emphasized the push for 'one farmer, one file' to eliminate redundant paperwork. Fordyce highlighted the new Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, which reached 150,000 applications in its first days. FSA's Beam called FBA 'fantastic' and ahead of expectations, and detailed a three-phase acreage reporting modernization. NRCS' Bettencourt described a 'recommitment tour' to core programs EQIP and CSP, pruning outdated practice codes and delegating decisions to local staff. She announced the Integrated Field Tool for real-time whole-farm planning. RMA's Swanson praised private-sector precision technology and urged producers to talk with agents before the March 15 deadline.

  • The Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program launched on Monday, March 3, 2026.
  • The 2026 Commodity Classic trade show took place last week, from February 25-28, 2026.

The players

Richard Fordyce

Undersecretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Bill Beam

Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Aubrey Bettencourt

Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Pat Swanson

Administrator of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a former crop insurance agent and Iowa farmer.

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What they’re saying

“We are all farmers”

— Richard Fordyce, Undersecretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Commodity Classic)

“Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) is fantastic and already ahead of expectations”

— Bill Beam, Administrator, Farm Service Agency (FSA) (Commodity Classic)

What’s next

The USDA leaders teased 'fun stories' by next year's Commodity Classic in New Orleans as modernization efforts accelerate.

The takeaway

The USDA updates at Commodity Classic demonstrate the agency's focus on leveraging technology, streamlining programs, and prioritizing the needs of farmers under the current administration. These initiatives aim to improve program delivery, reduce bureaucracy, and provide more direct support to agricultural producers.