In the latest move to appear to help family farmers and ranchers slammed by low income and negative conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 16 announced a multimillion-dollar cash give-out to 55 farm commodity groups, to reward them for their work to promote “America First” trade, demanding nations import more U.S. goods. The gesture is the latest revelation of the jarhead White House outlook, since its very own war-making, sanctions, asset seizures, blockades, and other assaults are spreading anti-America sentiment overseas by the hour.
Various sums of federal funding will go to associations ranging from pistachios to olives, as an “award” for their role in the USDA “America First Trade Promotion Program” (AFTPP), set up in September 2025. The USDA published its list of awardees and sums on April 16. Examples: The U.S. Meat Export Federation will get $12.5 million; the U.S. Dairy Export Council, $5.5 million; the California Prune Board, $3 million.
