U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative Thursday at the 2026 Commodity Classic, promising a single streamlined digital record that follows producers across all agency systems and slashes paperwork burdens.
Rollins described the multi-year modernization as a direct response to decades of fractured IT infrastructure — 500 custom systems managed by 1,000+ contractors at a cost exceeding $1 billion annually. Previous upgrade attempts delivered only 15% of promised improvements while blowing past $500 million budgets, she noted.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter,” Rollins told the record crowd. “One Farmer, One File eliminates redundant information gathering, reduces friction in every producer interaction, and gives farmers a single, seamless, secure experience at USDA.”
The initiative’s first live test — the $11 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for crop growers — opened applications ahead of schedule Monday and is already running fully on the new platform. Results have been dramatic: 50 times more producers signed up online in days than the prior ECAP program saw over its entire five-month window. Online adoption jumped more than 5,000%, several billion dollars have been obligated, and many farmers reported receiving payments faster than any USDA program in history.
Rollins stressed the effort is optional. “County FSA offices remain open, paper forms and in-person acreage reporting continue unchanged, and no one is forced online,” she said.
Rollins then turned the big topic for corn farmers – E15. She credited President Trump’s day-one national energy emergency declaration and regulatory E15 waivers, while urging Congress to pass nationwide, year-round E15 legislation “with no excuse.”
She talked about EPA’s proposed record-high renewable volume obligation (RVO) rule and the 45Z tax credit extension through 2029 — plus a forthcoming regenerative feedstock rule — will reward corn, soy and sorghum growers using sustainable practices with premium pricing.
“Biofuels are a win-win for farmers and consumers,” Rollins said, noting they help moderate pump prices while building long-term certainty for American crops.The secretary said both initiatives underscore the administration’s commitment to putting farmers first. Full “One Farmer, One File” rollout across USDA is targeted for completion within two years.
Listen to Sec. Rollins’ remarks here:
Classic26 - Sec. Rollins (40:30)