USDA Launches 'One Farmer, One File' Initiative

New program aims to streamline records and improve customer service for American farmers

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of the 'One Farmer, One File' initiative, a modernization effort to create a single, unified record that follows farmers across the USDA system. The goal is to reduce administrative burdens, increase efficiency, and improve customer service for America's agricultural producers.

Why it matters

This initiative is part of a broader USDA modernization effort to break down agency silos, retire legacy systems, and provide a more seamless experience for farmers interacting with different USDA agencies and programs. It aligns with the Trump Administration's focus on simplifying and streamlining programs for producers.

The details

Through 'One Farmer, One File,' USDA aims to create a single record that follows farmers as they interact with the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. This will eliminate the need for duplicative tasks, increase productivity, and decrease spending on disparate IT systems. USDA began work on this system in 2025 and plans to complete the project by 2028.

  • The 'One Farmer, One File' initiative was announced on February 26, 2026 at the Commodity Classic Convention in San Antonio, Texas.
  • USDA began work on the unified system in 2025 and plans to greatly advance the effort in 2026, with completion expected by 2028.

The players

Brooke L. Rollins

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, who announced the 'One Farmer, One File' initiative.

Russell Boenig

President of the Texas Farm Bureau, whose farm Secretary Rollins visited to launch the Deregulatory Agenda for American Agriculture and Consumers.

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What they’re saying

“Every single day at USDA, our focus is on making life easier, more profitable and more rewarding for the American farmer. Our government for the people by the people should be modern, efficient, and respect taxpayer dollars. This modernization of old, duplicative, wasteful systems has one goal in mind, improve our customer service so the people we serve are able to farm and feed America and the world. 'One Farmer, One File' prevents our farmers from duplicating tasks while increases their productivity and time in the field.”

— Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (newsdakota.com)

What’s next

USDA anticipates completing the 'One Farmer, One File' project in 2028, as part of a broader modernization effort to unify all FSA, NRCS and RMA systems.

The takeaway

The 'One Farmer, One File' initiative demonstrates the USDA's commitment to simplifying and streamlining programs for American farmers and ranchers, reducing administrative burdens, and providing a more seamless, efficient customer experience across different USDA agencies and services.