Strengthening National Security through Agriculture: USDA and DoW Sign Historic MOU

(Washington, D.C., February 11, 2026) – In a landmark event, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at fortifying the partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of War (DoW). This agreement supports the implementation of the National Farm Security Action Plan, a revolutionary initiative that has yielded measurable achievements since its launch just seven months ago.

The National Farm Security Action Plan, initiated in July 2025 by Secretary Rollins, Secretary Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, highlights American agriculture’s crucial role in national security for the very first time.

Key Initiatives Under the National Farm Security Action Plan

Since the launch, the USDA has enacted robust measures to secure farmland, uphold essential supply chains, combat fraud in nutrition programs, bolster research security, and advocate for America First policies. The key actions taken include:

• Publishing proposed rulemakings to modernize foreign investment reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA).
• Creating an online filing system for enhanced AFIDA reports as an alternative to traditional paper submissions.
• Launching an online portal for stakeholders to report potential discrepancies in foreign investment reporting.
• Collaborating with federal agencies to classify essential fertilizer inputs as critical minerals.
• Ending contracts with overseas scientists from nations of concern.
• Setting research and development priorities focused on safeguarding U.S. agriculture.
• Standardizing contractual terms across USDA grant programs.
• Restricting taxpayer funds for solar panels sourced from China and barring BioPreferred® Certifications for companies located in nations of concern.

Collaboration Between USDA and DoW

Today’s MOU establishes a formal alliance between USDA and DoW departments, aiming to enhance the defense of America’s food and agricultural sectors. The first project under this MOU involves a partnership between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and USDA’s Office of the Chief Scientist. This collaboration will enable the sharing of information about agricultural security vulnerabilities, the development of innovative solutions, and personnel exchanges to expedite agricultural innovation and supply chain protection.

Statements from Leadership

“President Trump’s administration is committed to prioritizing America, and this means reinforcing the safety and resilience of our food supply and agricultural lands,” stated Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “Over the past year, we’ve achieved tangible outcomes under the National Farm Security Action Plan. Today’s MOU with Secretary Hegseth marks a significant stride in uniting USDA’s agricultural expertise with the DoW’s security capabilities, thereby proactively tackling threats to our farmers and ranchers.”

In addition, Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized, “As threats to our food supply and agricultural sovereignty intensify, the Department of War is prepared to safeguard American farms as essential national security assets. This MOU with USDA will foster innovative strategies to shield our agricultural community from cyber threats, foreign risks, and biosecurity challenges.”

Establishment of a New Office for Research Security

During the signing ceremony, USDA announced the formation of the Office of Research, Economic, and Science Security within the USDA Office of the Chief Scientist. This new office will oversee the coordination of research security efforts across the USDA, supporting the implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 and other related directives.

Conclusion

These recent initiatives and partnerships highlight USDA’s unwavering commitment to recognizing agriculture as a cornerstone of national security. By enhancing the security and resilience of America’s farms and food systems, the government is taking significant steps to ensure a robust agricultural future.

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