WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded the second round of funding under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) new Regional Agriculture Promotion Program (RAPP).

Stabenow said: "Farmers have been clear that one of their top priorities is strengthening trade opportunities so that they can thrive in a global market. With the RAPP program entering its second year, the Biden-Harris Administration is making a real investment in growing new markets for American agriculture. I look forward to continuing to work with the Administration and farmers on this exciting new program that will effectively double trade promotion investments."

This second round of funding will provide $300 million to support trade promotion for American farmers and businesses. This follows $300 million in funding announced in the program's first year and is part of a $1.2 billion investment in trade promotion through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) made at the request of Stabenow.

It builds upon existing USDA trade promotion programs that continue to support existing activities and markets.

In October of 2023, USDA announced that it will use its authorities under the CCC to provide $2.3 billion to invest in trade promotion and in-kind international food assistance, both of which support American farmers and producers.