The U.S. Department of Ag­­ri­­culture (USDA) last week an­nounced it is directing $3 billion from Commodity Credit Corp. funds into investments to address challenges for U.S. agriculture, including the potential spread of African swine fever (ASF), relief to farmers facing market disruptions and assistance to school nutrition programs.

In addition, the department outlined a series of pilot projects and demonstrations to develop “climate-smart” farming practices.

The USDA investments include $500 million to prevent the spread of ASF through the expansion and coordination of...