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Dec. 2, 2024 by Sarah Zimmerman, AgricultureDive.com President-elect Donald Trump named Brooke Rollins to be secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Rollins, a Texas native, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank launched in 2021 to promote Trump's economic policies. A conservative lawyer, Rollins also served as acting director of the White House's Domestic Policy Council at the end of Trump's first term. If confirmed, Rollins would oversee a sprawling department that influences nearly every part of the food and agriculture industry, from trade policy to food safety. She would also be responsible for administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nation's largest anti-hunger program. "As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country," Trump said in a statement. Rollins is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received an undergraduate degree in agricultural leadership and development. She has also been involved with Future Farmers of America and 4H, with the statement saying she guides "her four kids in their show cattle careers." "It will be the honor of my life to fight for America's farmers and our Nation's agricultural communities," Rollins wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, adding in all caps: "Who's ready to make agriculture great again?" Farm groups gave somewhat of a muted endorsement of Rollins, with multiple organizations saying "strong leadership" will be needed to address challenges facing agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Federation said Rollins has a "good relationship" with the Texas Farm Bureau, something the national group hopes "to build on" if she's confirmed. "We're encouraged by her statement that she'd 'fight for America's farmers and our nation's agricultural communities,'" AFBF President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. "Effective leadership at USDA is more important than ever as farmers and ranchers face a struggling agricultural economy." To read the entire report click here. Tweet |
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