USDA Embarking on Massive IT Overhaul to Streamline Farmer Services

New 'One Farmer, One File' initiative aims to unify disparate systems and databases across multiple USDA agencies.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The USDA is launching a major modernization effort to overhaul its antiquated and fragmented IT infrastructure that has long frustrated farmers trying to access grants, disaster relief, and other services. The centerpiece is a 'One Farmer, One File' initiative to create a single, unified record for each producer that can be accessed across the FSA, NRCS, and RMA agencies.

Why it matters

The USDA's current IT systems have been described as an 'absolute stunning failure,' with hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars spent on a patchwork of over 500 custom-built databases and systems managed by over 1,000 different contractors. This has led to major inefficiencies and frustrations for farmers who often have to manually re-enter the same information across multiple USDA offices and programs.

The details

The USDA's modernization effort, which began last year and is expected to be completed by 2028, aims to retire legacy systems and unify all FSA, NRCS and RMA systems into a streamlined platform. One early change is using Login.gov to expedite Farmer Bridge Assistance payments. The USDA is also making it easier for producers to bundle and apply for conservation practices online, rather than having to visit county offices and manually certify acreage on paper maps.

  • The USDA's IT modernization work began in 2022.
  • The 'One Farmer, One File' initiative was announced at the 2026 Commodity Classic event in San Antonio.
  • The full IT overhaul is expected to be completed by 2028.

The players

Brooke Rollins

USDA Secretary who publicly acknowledged the agency's 'fractured' and 'siloed' IT systems that have frustrated farmers.

Richard Fordyce

USDA Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation who said the modernization effort is 'long, long, long overdue.'

U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

A government agency tasked with tackling the USDA's massive IT issues last year.

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What they’re saying

“Indeed, USDA's IT systems have been fractured with dozens of siloed, duplicative technology platforms that don't talk to one another.”

— Brooke Rollins, USDA Secretary (no-tillfarmer.com)

“Some of the DOGE architects that looked at these antiquated legacy systems said, 'Oh my gosh, these things are going to break,' and they designed a pathway forward.”

— Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation (no-tillfarmer.com)

What’s next

The USDA plans to continue rolling out the 'One Farmer, One File' initiative and other IT modernization efforts over the next several years, with the goal of completing the full overhaul by 2028.

The takeaway

The USDA's massive IT overhaul represents a long-overdue effort to streamline and unify its disparate systems, which have long frustrated farmers trying to access critical USDA services and programs. The new 'One Farmer, One File' approach aims to create a single, centralized record for each producer that can be accessed across the agency's various divisions.