Agriculture Secretary Visits MSU as Farmers Face Rising Fertilizer Costs
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced increased federal funding for specialty crop research at MSU while farmers voiced concerns about rising fertilizer costs linked to the Iran war.
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced increased federal funding for specialty crop research programs at Michigan State University on Monday, while local farmers voiced concerns about rising fertilizer costs linked to the ongoing war with Iran.
Rollins joined U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) at the university’s Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center to announce the opening of applications for the department’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative and the Specialty Crop Block Grant programs.
“Michigan is ground zero for specialty crops: cherries, asparagus, nursery, floriculture and so many other fruits and vegetables,” Rollins said. “And because of President Trump and America first leaders in Congress, like the wonderful Tom Barrett, this administration is super focused on increasing funding – you don’t hear that a lot from the Trump administration.”
Funding Increases for Specialty Crop Programs
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, funding for the specialty crop research program increased from $80 million to $175 million. The block grant program saw funding rise from $85 million to $100 million, according to Rollins.
Michigan Farm Bureau President Ben LaCross also attended the announcement at the research facility.
Farmers Express Concerns Over Rising Costs
Some of Barrett’s constituents raised concerns about how current federal policies are affecting their finances. At a press conference organized by Michigan’s 7th Congressional Democrats, farmers warned about increased costs driven by tariffs and the war in Iran.
Mark Zacharda, a farmer from Shiawassee County, said 2026 has been an uncertain and chaotic year for farmers, particularly as they approach the spring planting season.
“The cost of fertilizer has been skyrocketing since this war started, adding to the already increased input costs that we’ve been facing,” Zacharda said. “And as we’ve been hit by increased input costs, our commodity prices have been flat or even lower.”
Economic Impact on Agriculture Sector
Zacharda warned that these increased costs could create ripple effects across the U.S. food industry. The concerns highlight tensions between federal investment in agricultural research and the immediate financial pressures facing farmers during the current conflict.
The timing of these competing messages underscores the complex challenges facing Michigan’s agricultural sector, which plays a significant role in the state’s economy through specialty crop production including cherries, asparagus, nursery products, and floriculture.
