The Power of Trade in Advancing U.S. Agriculture

Welcome to the inaugural post of "Export Impact,” a new platform where we dive into the impactful work of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service. This platform aims to keep you, our valued stakeholders, informed and engaged as we navigate the world of agricultural exports. Your insights, feedback, and partnership are invaluable to us, and we are excited to embark on this journey together. 

As USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, and someone who grew up on a farm in Northeastern Iowa, I am delighted to recap my recent visit to Arizona, connecting with local agricultural leaders and stakeholders. This trip was filled with meaningful moments, focusing on the pivotal roles of women in agriculture, efforts to support specialty crop producers and exporters through initiatives like the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE), and other vital export promotion efforts that bolster our agricultural landscape. My upbringing in a state with a rich farming history has instilled in me a lifelong commitment to supporting our farmers and agribusinesses. 

Celebrating Women in Agriculture

Arizona stands out for its sizable number of female producers, with women leading 49 percent of farms in the state. This statistic speaks volumes about the resilience and innovation of women in agriculture. During my visit, I was inspired by discussions with women leaders surrounding the United Nations' declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This global recognition underscores the critical contributions of women who produce 60 to 80 percent of the world's food, yet often face barriers that hinder their full participation in agriculture. 

Supporting Specialty Crops

Meeting with Trent Teegerstrom from the University of Arizona and Paul Brierley from the Arizona Department of Agriculture was another highlight of my trip. Their insights into specialty crops – which accounted for $971 million of Arizona’s $1.7 billion of agricultural exports in 2022 – highlighted the challenges and opportunities in this vital sector. Our Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative aims to break down trade barriers and expand market access for American agricultural exports. These efforts are essential for ensuring our specialty crop producers thrive in a competitive global market. I also had the opportunity to meet Rob Knorr from Knorr Farms, who specializes in growing peppers, further illustrating the diversity and potential of Arizona's agricultural landscape. 

Empowering Tribal Agribusinesses

Another enriching aspect of my visit was exploring Indian Country agriculture. Tribal agriculture contributes $6.5 billion to the U.S. food economy, nearly doubling its impact since 2017. Engaging with Tribal leaders underscored the importance of tailored support for their unique business models. In collaboration with the Intertribal Agriculture Council, we recently led a groundbreaking trade mission to Vancouver. This initiative facilitated 130 business-to-business meetings and generated nearly $1.1 million in projected 12-month sales for the participating Tribal agribusinesses that included Tempe-based Navajo Mike’s. 

Commitment to Market Expansion and Innovation

Under the leadership of Secretary Vilsack, USDA launched the $1.2 billion Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) to open new markets and strengthen existing ones for U.S. agricultural and food producers and exporters. Our recent allocation of $300 million across 60 projects through RAPP demonstrates our commitment to expanding opportunities in agriculture. As we continue to diversify where we export, what we export, and who exports in global markets, initiatives like RAPP and ASCE are pivotal. They foster innovation, support American farmers, and build resilience within our communities. Arizona’s agricultural community embodies diversity and resilience, driving our industry forward. I am deeply grateful for the warm hospitality and valuable insights shared during my visit. 

Together, we are laying a robust foundation for the future of U.S. agriculture in global markets, championing the contributions of women and ensuring every voice in agriculture is heard and supported.