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Agriculture secretary pledges $30 billion in disaster relief, vows 'Trump speed' avian flu response at Ag Outlook Forum
Summary
At the 101st Ag Outlook Forum, an unnamed agriculture secretary said the administration is distributing $30 billion in disaster and emergency relief, pledged a government-wide response to avian influenza and addressed trade, labor and rural decline.
An unnamed agriculture secretary told attendees at the 101st Ag Outlook Forum that the administration is moving to distribute $30 billion in disaster and emergency relief and is coordinating a government-wide response to avian influenza, saying, "We call it Trump speed."
The secretary framed the funding and outbreak response as part of a broader effort to support farmers and rural communities. "I will always be, always your greatest champion, second only to President Trump," the secretary said, and added that trade concerns and tariffs raised by producers are being heard.
The speech covered a range of issues producers raised at the forum: trade tensions and tariffs, the ongoing avian flu outbreak, labor and immigration concerns, and long-term decline in small towns and rural economies. On relief funding, the secretary said the administration is "making great progress in getting the $30,000,000,000 in disaster and emergency relief out the door," using the phrase that was quoted in the address and later summarized in remarks.
On avian influenza, the secretary said officials are taking "an across the government approach to get it done," signaling coordinated federal action without specifying agencies, timelines or operational details. On labor, the secretary acknowledged producer concern about immigration policy and labor availability, saying the administration understands the challenges and that the secretary would "be there" to advocate for farmers.
The speaker emphasized rural revitalization as a priority, saying that as agriculture has grown more efficient, many small towns have declined and the administration aims to "bring, again, real opportunity back to rural America." The address concluded with an expression of gratitude and a call for applause for the secretary.
No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript; the record available is a prepared address and brief closing remarks.
