Congressional Republicans have named six new members to the House Agriculture Committee for the upcoming term beginning in January. Veteran Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) will join the panel along with five incoming freshmen, Reps. Tony Wied (R-Wis.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Mark Harris (R-N.C.), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.), and David Taylor (R-Ohio). The group will join 23 returning members on the committee, which will again be led by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.).

Newhouse will be serving his sixth term in Congress after previously serving as Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. He holds a degree in agricultural economics and operates a 600-acre farm in south-central Washington. Weid was sworn in immediately after the November election to fill the remainder of retired Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.). He has a background owning and operating gas stations. Bresnahan is CEO of a family-owned electrical construction business. Harris serves as a Baptist pastor, Messmer is a longtime Indiana lawmaker, and Taylor runs his family’s concrete business. 

When announcing the additions, Thompson said, “I’m excited to welcome this strong and diverse group of legislators to the House Committee on Agriculture for the 119th Congress. This is a pivotal time for our farmers, ranchers and rural communities, so we’ll hit the ground running with rigorous hearings and oversight, all to ensure we deliver legislative victories for rural America and the farm families that guarantee our nation’s food security.”

Related:Juergens to serve as next Iowa Pork Producers Association president

Trump names USDA Deputy Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Stephen Vaden as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Vaden, who has previously served as USDA General Counsel, will bring extensive experience in legal and policy matters affecting the agricultural sector. 

In his announcement, Trump said, “In my first term, Stephen was the General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture, and a member of the Board of the Commodity Credit Corporation, where he won two cases before the United States Supreme Court, relocated and reorganized the agencies that comprise the department to better serve Rural America, and engaged in substantial regulatory reform. Stephen joined the USDA on day one of my first term, and left in December 2020 after I nominated him, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him, to continue to serve the American people as an Article III Judge on the Court of International Trade. Judge Stephen Vaden resides in Union City, Tennessee, where he helps manage his family farm. Congratulations Stephen!”

Related:Farm Progress America, Jan. 22, 2025

Vaden holds a law degree from Yale and bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt. If both are confirmed by the Senate, he will serve as second-in-command at the department below Trump’s nominee for USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins. As Deputy Secretary, Vaden would take primary responsibility for running day-to-day operations for the massive organization. USDA has over 100,000 employees spread across over 4,500 locations.

USDA announces final $300 million in assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers

USDA has announced the final $300 million in automatic assistance for distressed farm loan borrowers under the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past two years, this program has provided $2.5 billion to more than 47,800 farmers and ranchers, helping them retain land and sustain operations. This final round of assistance is expected to aid over 12,800 borrowers with both direct and guaranteed loans.

Key components of this funding include addressing delinquencies on qualifying loans, payments for borrowers restructuring loans and support for protective and emergency advances. USDA has also implemented programs to simplify and enhance the loan process, such as an online loan application and repayment tools, reduced paperwork and personalized support through the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network. Farmers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to explore loan and servicing options.

Related:Trump begins filling out agriculture leadership

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack applauded the program’s effort to support farmers, saying, “The final round of payments provides much-needed relief, helping producers stay on their land and continue farming. USDA is committed to building a stronger, more supportive loan system for farmers’ success.”