ENID, OK — A new bill proposed by Republican lawmakers is offering hope to Oklahoma farmers who rely on global markets to sell their products. The bill aims to restore the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program, which has seen significant cuts under the Trump administration. USAID’s mission includes purchasing and distributing U.S. commodities to food-insecure nations, a process that has become more uncertain due to recent funding reductions.
Oklahoma farmers, particularly those in the wheat industry, have played a crucial role in global food security. The recent freeze of USAID programs caused initial concern, but the introduction of this new bill has sparked optimism.
“I think, short term, we were concerned that it would have an impact,” said Mike Schulte, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. “But I think the administration overall is just looking at transparency with all programs.”
In recent years, the Trump administration has worked to scale back foreign aid, which included cutting thousands of USAID jobs and halting many of the agency’s programs. One of those programs, Food for Peace, is now the focal point of Republican efforts to transfer responsibility for its operations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Michael Peters, a wheat farmer and member of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, expressed support for the shift. “Moving that over to USDA will really, in the long run, be a plus for the Oklahoma wheat producer,” he said.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in how USAID has been distributing aid. In particular, the group noted that USAID has increasingly turned to monetization — selling U.S. commodities abroad — or implemented cash-based programs to purchase food. While these methods help to address food shortages, Peters emphasized that U.S. tax dollars should be used to purchase U.S. goods, not products from foreign countries.
“It’s getting what we want to feed people, but it’s nice that we can do it with our own commodities,” Peters said.
For Oklahoma farmers, this bill is seen as a chance to ensure their wheat is prioritized in global aid efforts, which would, in turn, benefit the domestic agricultural market. Schulte emphasized the importance of creating market development opportunities for U.S. wheat producers while also assisting countries in need.
“Our goal is to be able to create market development opportunities for the U.S. wheat producer and Oklahoma wheat producer, while also trying to help countries in their time of need,” Schulte explained.
However, the bill’s future remains uncertain. While the legislation has garnered support among local farmers, no Oklahoma lawmakers have yet publicly endorsed the bill. Schulte acknowledged that the situation could have lasting consequences for farmers, regardless of the bill’s outcome.
“I think it’s going to be interesting to see the dynamics of this as we move forward through this process,” Schulte said.
As the debate unfolds in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma farmers are keeping a close watch on the legislative process, hoping the bill will bring clarity and support to an essential part of their business.
