Farm Action wants DOGE to investigate checkoff program fraud

Farm Action is calling on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to investigate what they call fraud within the checkoff programs.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Elon Musk, Farm Action says checkoff programs lack transparency and oversight and cost farmers more than a billion dollars annually. They say more than 60 farm groups have called for some checkoff reform over the years.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has directed cuts across the government, with more possible in the coming weeks. DOGE is asking the public to help identify areas for investigation, including agencies within the USDA.

Related Stories
The Farm Bureau urges trade enforcement, biofuel growth, fair input pricing, and pro-farmer policy reforms to restore long-term certainty.
A SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s tariffs could have long-term implications on the authority of future administrations to control U.S. trade policy, according to RFD-TV legal expert Roger McEowen.
The Sheinbaum–Rollins meeting signals progress, but the focus remains on fully containing screwworm before cross-border movement resumes.
The first-ever “MICHELIN Guide to the American South” awards stars to top restaurants across Georgia, Louisiana, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, and pinpoints the region as a global food destination for the first time.
Livestock profits are propping up overall sentiment, but crop producers remain cautious amid tight margins and uncertain policy signals.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Farmland values remain stable, but weakened credit conditions and lower expected farm income signal tighter financial margins heading into 2026.
The White House is now preparing to restore an Endangered Species Act (ESA) rule from the first Trump Administration.
Jerry Cosgrove with American Farmland Trust explains why farmers and ranchers should start their estate planning now.
Elizabeth Strom of the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined RFD-TV to provide the latest perspective on post-harvest business planning and cropland markets in the Midwest.
Dalton Henry, with U.S. Wheat Associates, joined RFD-TV to provide insight on what the pending trade frameworks may mean for American wheat growers.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.