The USDA presented a listening program on May 6th from 13H30 to 15H30 EDT.  According to Gloria Greene, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, the program was developed to concentrate on beginning farmers and ranchers. The USDA received and responded to information on available support extended during the COVID pandemic. Mae Wu, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, stated “We need to understand what worked well and where we can improve, while deepening our understanding of how farmers were affected by the pandemic and how they are modifying their operations.” 

Feedback from farmers who participated in the listening session will be used by USDA to modify outreach programs and to improve technical assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by the pandemic.