Brooke Rollins: A New Champion for American Agriculture

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall recently commented on the Senate's confirmation of Brooke Rollins as the new Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rollins, a close ally of President Donald Trump, was confirmed by a vote of 72-28 and will now lead the 100,000-person agency, which has a budget of $437.2 billion in 2024.

Duvall expressed his confidence in Rollins' ability to lead the USDA at a critical time for America's farmers and ranchers, stating, "Farm and ranch families are looking for a champion and a voice as they continue to face economic headwinds, labor challenges, and uncertainty over the rural impacts of Washington's current policy debates. Ms. Rollins will need to hit the ground running to ensure the administration understands the challenges farmers and ranchers are facing."

Rollins, a conservative lawyer and former White House Domestic Policy Council acting director, has a heart for agriculture and rural America. She has pledged to prioritize the distribution of disaster and economic aid, ensure adequate staffing for the essential functions of USDA agencies, keep USDA's contractual promises with farmers, advocate for trade policy that maintains and grows markets for agricultural products, and work with Congress to pass a modernized farm bill.

Duvall also emphasized the importance of a strong team built around Rollins' leadership, encouraging the Senate to quickly confirm the remaining positions at USDA, including deputy secretary and under secretaries. He expressed the Farm Bureau's readiness to work with USDA and the new administration to ensure government policy positions farmers to manage the many risks and barriers in front of them, ultimately keeping America's pantries stocked.

Insert a chart showing the USDA's budget allocation for various programs, such as farm and nutrition programs, rural development, and research and extension services.

Rollins' confirmation comes at a time when the agriculture industry is facing numerous challenges, including economic downturns, labor shortages, and uncertainty over the rural impacts of Washington's current policy debates. Her experience navigating complex policies and her close relationship with President Trump could serve agriculture well in the years to come. However, her lack of agriculture experience may pose challenges in addressing the sector's pressing issues, such as nutrition, climate change, and labor shortages.

To mitigate this, Rollins can take several steps to build a strong team of experienced agriculture professionals, engage with farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders to understand their concerns and challenges, and leverage her relationship with Trump to advocate for the agriculture industry. By focusing on her outlined priorities and working with stakeholders, Rollins can effectively address the sector's pressing issues and ensure the long-term success of rural communities and the agriculture industry.

In her confirmation hearing, Rollins presented her vision to "modernize" the USDA, including the end of remote work for federal workers. This could have both positive and negative effects on the department's efficiency and effectiveness in serving rural communities and the agriculture industry. While improved communication and collaboration among staff could enhance the department's responsiveness to the needs of rural communities and farmers, potential budget cuts and workforce challenges could hinder the department's ability to effectively serve its constituents.

In conclusion, Brooke Rollins' confirmation as the new Secretary of the Department of Agriculture brings a new champion to the agriculture industry at a critical time. Her experience navigating complex policies and her close relationship with President Trump could serve agriculture well in the years to come. However, her lack of agriculture experience may pose challenges in addressing the sector's pressing issues. By building a strong team, engaging with stakeholders, and focusing on her outlined priorities, Rollins can effectively address the sector's pressing issues and ensure the long-term success of rural communities and the agriculture industry.