United States Launches Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework

(Washington, D.C., February 11, 2026) – Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced today the rollout of the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at safeguarding America’s agricultural legacy. This plan seeks to shield farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers from politically motivated lawfare. Secretary Rollins was joined by notable figures, including U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, country music artist John Rich, Representative James Comer, and several farming families who have experienced the impact of agricultural lawfare.

“As we gear up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America, it’s vital to remember that our nation was built by those who work the land,” stated Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “When we protect our farmers and ranchers, we safeguard the foundation of freedom and prosperity.” She emphasized the importance of land and property ownership as a cornerstone of the American dream and asserted that the initiative aims to prevent laws and regulations from hindering agricultural progress.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum highlighted the importance of food security, comparing it to the significance of energy dominance for national security. “The Department of the Interior is committed to cutting through bureaucratic red tape. We aim to restore stability for grazing permittees and reopen all necessary allotments, enabling America’s producers to thrive,” he remarked. “Standing with farmers and ranchers is essential to protecting our agricultural heritage.”

HUD Secretary Scott Turner echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to reduce governmental overreach on rural communities. “Farmers and ranchers work tirelessly to feed our nation; they don’t need Washington managing their fields from a desk,” he said, pledging to lend support to those who cultivate the land.

U.S. Representative James Comer (KY-1) welcomed the initiative, noting that it signals a much-needed pivot in policy. “We are prioritizing America’s farmers by cutting costs and restoring stability,” he asserted. “This effort is focused on practical savings for those working in the field.”

Country music artist John Rich expressed his discontent with how landowners were historically treated. “Powerful companies have disregarded the rights of American landowners for too long. This stops today,” he declared passionately.

Overview of the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework

The Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework is structured around four main pillars aimed at fostering a supportive environment for American agriculture. This comprehensive plan addresses the need to eradicate burdensome regulations and the misuse of governmental systems against agricultural stakeholders.

The Framework’s Four Pillars:

• Protect Producers: Defend farmers and ranchers against unjust federal practices and politically driven enforcement actions.
• Preserve Land and Liberty: Shield agricultural land from unnecessary federal projects andEnsure the protection of property rights against eminent domain.
• Purge Burdensome Regulations: Eliminate harmful rules that hinder productivity while reforming environmental laws for a balanced approach.
• Partner for Agriculture’s Future: Collaborate with federal, state, and local leaders, alongside industry partners, to combat lawfare and raise public awareness.

Progress and Achievements

USDA Lawfare Wins to Date

Protecting Family Farms & Private Property

• Success in safeguarding the 175-year-old Henry family farm in Cranbury, New Jersey, from a potential eminent domain seizure.
• Defended rural property owners from excessive governmental overreach, ensuring farmland remains productive and family-owned.

Stopping Politicized Prosecutions

• Dismissed a Biden-era criminal case against the Maude family regarding a land boundary dispute, reinstating fairness in judicial processes.

Blocking Unnecessary Seizures of Farmland

• Collaborated with John Rich and stakeholders in Tennessee to prevent the seizure of farmland for new construction by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
• Worked to ensure rural communities are considered before federal actions affecting agriculture and private property rights.

For additional information and to report instances of agricultural lawfare, please visit www.usda.gov/lawfare.

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