USDA Announces Priorities for Research and Development in 2026

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins signed a Secretary’s Memorandum Dec. 30 that establishes priorities for future research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

New research and development activities funded by USDA will be focused on projects that address one or more of the following priorities, according to the memorandum:

1. Increasing profitability of farmers and ranchers. While research to increase productivity has allowed American farmers and ranchers to provide the safest, most abundant and most affordable food and fiber supply, the volatility in profitability of American agriculture leads to significant uncertainty for producers, said USDA. Research and development that results in increased profitability — such as reducing inputs or increasing mechanization and automation — will benefit American farmers and ranchers, said the agency.
2. Expanding markets and creating new uses of U.S. agricultural products. With many producers experiencing record yields this growing season, it is more important than ever to ensure USDA is expanding markets and creating new uses for these American-grown commodities, said the agency. Research and development that seeks to open new markets — such as generating science and data to resolve longstanding sanitary and phytosanitary trade barriers — or expand the utilization of these commodities in novel biobased products and bioenergy (including biofuels) will result in increased demand, said USDA.
3. Protecting the integrity of American agriculture from invasive species: The resurgence of New World screwworm in Mexico, continued westward expansion of the spotted lanternfly, persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry flocks and decimation of the U.S. domestic citrus industry due to citrus greening are just a few examples of how invasive pests and diseases threaten American agriculture and natural resources, said USDA. Research and development focused on new and effective methods for preventing, detecting, controlling and eradicating these threats is a top priority for USDA and the security of U.S. agriculture, said the agency.
4. Promoting soil health to regenerate long-term productivity of land. Research and development that promotes soil health practices, increases water-use efficiency and reduces inputs will ensure farms and ranches remain productive for generations to come, said USDA.
5. Improving human health through precision nutrition and food quality. Evidence shows that a healthy diet can help people achieve and maintain good health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases throughout all stages of life, said USDA. Rigorous research on precision nutrition is needed to better understand how healthy dietary patterns impact people at the individual level, with the goal of more targeted nutritional recommendations to encourage healthy choices, healthy outcomes and healthy families, the agency said. Research and development on increasing the nutritional content and quality of foods will lead to increased demand for American agricultural products, said USDA.

“When he created the People’s Department and the land-grant university system in 1862, President Lincoln had a vision for American agriculture rooted in agricultural innovation and education,” said Rollins. “Since that time, research coming from USDA and our colleges of agriculture have successfully helped American farmers and ranchers address countless challenges. The priorities we are announcing today further reiterates President Trump’s commitment to put farmers first and provides our agricultural researchers with a strategic roadmap to help keep our producers at the forefront of productivity.”