(WASHINGTON D.C.) — On Thursday, the Senate officially confirmed Brooke Rollins as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, a pivotal move that brings a wealth of public policy experience to the Department of Agriculture. The final vote of 72-28 moves Rollins into a key role as farmers and agriculture groups look to tackle key issues such as the ag economy, Farm Bill and much more.
“With her roots in agriculture and extensive leadership experience, Brooke brings a wealth of knowledge and a clear vision to this vital role,” said Mike Seyfert, President and CEO at the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA). “NGFA is committed to advancing priorities that align with the needs of American agriculture, including a robust transportation infrastructure to ensure the safe and speedy movement of agricultural goods to market, a level playing field in the international marketplace to support global competitiveness, passage of policies designed to help the rural economy prosper, and reduced regulatory burdens to spur investment and encourage efficiency across the food and agriculture sector.”
National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule said in a statement that “I appreciate Mrs. Rollins committing to getting the much-needed economic assistance for wheat producers rolled out during her confirmation hearing, as well as her interest in getting a long-term, meaningful farm bill signed into law this year that strengthens the farm safety net. NAWG looks forward to working with you to deliver real results for wheat growers and rural America.”
“America’s pork producers are eager to work with Secretary Rollins to fix the multitude of problems caused by California’s Prop 12 and ensure farm families have reasonable policies to pass down our farms to future generations,” says NPPC President Lori Stevermer.
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney congratulated Rollins on taking over as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture, saying, “The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is ready to work with the new Secretary on increasing economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and food producers, as well as getting a new farm bill approved.”
Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert says it’s crucial to have leaders who understand the unique needs of agriculture, and they look forward to working with Rollins in good times and bad.
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew said in part that “USDA plays a critical role in serving agriculture effectively and equitably. I look forward to working with Secretary Rollins to address the priorities NFU members continue to elevate: strengthening risk management tools for farmers, ensuring fairness in the marketplace, supporting the next generation of producers, protecting independent family farms from corporate concentration, expanding conservation programs that improve soil health and reduce input costs, advancing mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, and securing policies that ensure farmers receive a fair share of the food dollar.”
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued the following statement saying “USMEF congratulates Secretary Rollins on her confirmation and we look forward to working with her and the USDA team to expand global demand for U.S. red meat. As evidenced by the strong bipartisan support her nomination received in the U.S. Senate, Secretary Rollins is recognized as a champion for U.S. agriculture and a powerful advocate for free market principles.”
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles issued a statement saying in part that “we welcome Brooke Rollins’ confirmation and look forward to working with her to address the critical challenges confronting American farmers and rural communities. Her leadership at the USDA is essential as the U.S. potato industry and our specialty crop allies work to pass a new Farm Bill, secure essential funding for research and market development projects, open new foreign markets, and support the growers and workers who are delivering nutrition to dinner tables around the world.”
In January, NPC joined more than 400 agriculture groups and businesses on a letter of support for Rollins, stating that her “close working relationship with incoming President Trump will ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made in the White House.”
The ethanol industry also issuing their congratulations. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said that “USDA Secretary Rollins made it clear during her confirmation hearings that she understands the key role America’s farmers and biofuel producers will play in President Trump’s efforts to restore rural prosperity and unleash U.S. energy dominance,” said Skor. “We look forward to working with her to create jobs, rebuild farm revenues, and ensure that all Americans can save money at the pump by expanding access to homegrown biofuels.”
Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in part that “throughout the confirmation process, we were encouraged to hear Secretary Rollins state that renewable fuels like ethanol will be big part of President Trump’s energy dominance strategy and that she will defend and elevate all sources of American-made energy. At a time when the farm economy is struggling, we encourage Secretary Rollins to use all of the tools in USDA’s toolbox to open and expand markets for ethanol and its valuable co-products.”
American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) CEO Brian Jennings said in a statement that they “look forward to working with her on our priority issues, including advancing our USDA RCPP projects aimed at ensuring farmers and biofuel producers get properly rewarded for sustainable farming practices under clean fuel programs and tax incentives such as the 45Z Clean Fuel Production credit. As 45Z guidance is finalized by the Trump Treasury, we will encourage Secretary Rollins to leverage USDA’s guidelines for crops used as biofuel feedstocks to help maximize opportunities for farmers and ethanol producers.”
Jennings also added that “we will also engage USDA on promoting further biofuel infrastructure funding opportunities for E15 and E85, as well as strengthening existing export and new SAF market opportunities.”
Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins issued a statement indicating that Rollins understands the current issues at hand in agriculture and believes she has a plan to start working on them immediately. “Secretary Rollins understands the pain points the agriculture industry faces and has a plan to address these right away,” Hawkins said. “She understands the importance of a strong safety net and is prepared to work with Congress to implement a modernized Farm Bill. She will work with farmers to eliminate burdensome and costly regulations that hamper innovation, will spearhead animal disease prevention and mitigation, and will identify new export channels across the globe to support markets. Raised in rural Texas, Secretary Rollins knows the importance of strengthening our rural communities and making them a great place to live, work, and raise our families. We are thrilled with her bipartisan confirmation and welcome the opportunity to work with her to advance the agriculture industry.”
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig issued a statement congratulating Rollins saying in part that “clearly, President Trump has selected a highly capable and accomplished individual to lead USDA. Secretary Rollins’ commitment to returning USDA to its core mission of supporting all of agriculture is exactly the focus our country needs right now. I am confident that she will be an effective advocate for farmers, ensuring that President Trump’s policies reflect their needs and support the vitality of our rural communities.”
Rollins now takes the helm at USDA following her role as a domestic policy chief in the first Trump administration, where she gained prominence for championing free-market principles and reducing government regulation. Her work during this time, particularly in advocating for policies that promoted economic growth while minimizing federal intervention, has positioned her as a strong candidate to lead the USDA.
