OMAHA (DTN) -- President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named Brooke L. Rollins as the country's next Secretary of Agriculture.
A native of Texan, Rollins, 52, is the founder and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) and America First Works (AFW), a pair of organizations that have championed Trump's agenda.
Rollins will take over a department with more than 100,000 people, a $213 billion budget and more than 3,000 county offices. USDA is responsible for the country's main nutrition support programs, school lunches, farm programs and rural economic development. Rollins would also lead the Trump administration's efforts to advise the next Congress on what should be included in a new farm bill. One of the early decisions for the next agriculture secretary also likely will consist of determining how to disburse an aid package for farmers currently being crafted in Congress. The Biden administration this past week proposed a $24 billion disaster package for farmers and rural infrastructure.
On social platform X, Rollins commented:
"Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. It will be the honor of my life to fight for America's farmers and our Nation's agricultural communities. This is big stuff for a small-town ag girl from Glen Rose, TX -- truly the American Dream at its greatest.
WHO'S READY TO MAKE AGRICULTURE GREAT AGAIN?" @BrookeLRollins
Rollins also was a member of Trump's Economic Advisory Council in 2016. In a statement, Trump said Rollins "did an incredible job during my first term as the director of the Domestic Policy Council, director of the Office of American Innovation, and assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives. In these roles, she helped develop and manage the transformational domestic policy agenda of my administration."
Trump's transition team stated, "Brooke's commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none."
Rollins has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Texas A&M University and a law degree from there as well.
The transition team statement on Rollins added, "From her upbringing in the small and Agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, to her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4H, to her generational family farming background, to guiding her four kids in their show cattle careers, Brooke has a practitioner's experience, along with deep policy credentials in both nonprofit and government leadership at the state and national levels."
The statement added, "As our next Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, who are truly the backbone of our Country."
The announcement comes a day after news organizations, including DTN, reported former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was in line for Agriculture secretary. CNN initially reported Loeffler was at Mar a Lago to meet about the position.
Trump on Friday evening named eight new nominees for his administration but Loeffler and Agriculture were not on the lists. Trump named Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor secretary, Marty Makary to lead the Food and Drug Administration, Janette Nesheiwat for surgeon general, Scott Turner for Housing and Urban Development secretary, Russell Vought for the Office of Budget and Management, and Dave Weldon to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Wall Street Journal cited, "different factions of the Trump transition team had divided over whom to pick to lead the Agriculture Department, according to people familiar with the matter."
Rollins has not offered a lot of policy about agriculture in the American First Policy Institute, but the group has campaigned against Chinese ownership of U.S. property, an issue that has drawn a lot of attention in agriculture over the past few years.
A long list of Washington agricultural policy advisors and farm leaders had been suggested as possible picks for USDA, but Rollins was not among them. Other positions are expected in the coming weeks, including deputy secretary, undersecretaries for trade, farm programs, research and nutrition, as well as directors for agencies such as the Farm Service Agency.
If confirmed, Rollins would be the country's second female Agriculture secretary. Ann Veneman was the first woman to lead USDA from 2001-2005 under then-President George W. Bush.
Chuck Conner, CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives congratulated Rollins for the nomination. "As someone who grew up in a rural community directly connected to agriculture, she has a deep respect and appreciation for the work that America's farmers and ranchers do. We look forward to working with her both in the upcoming confirmation process and once she assumes the role of secretary," he said.
Emily Skor CEO of the biofuels group Growth Energy also said the group looks to highlight the value of biofuels around the country.
"Growth Energy looks forward to engaging with Secretary Designate Rollins and demonstrating how our industry is vital to growing jobs and innovation across rural America and unleashing American energy dominance," Skor said. "The USDA Secretary is rural America's voice in the White House, and we will work hard to ensure Rollins is well-positioned to deliver on President Trump's rural agenda, expand markets for homegrown renewable fuel, and bring more low-cost options to the pump."
Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, also congratulated Rollins.
"I am hopeful her rural roots instilled in her the important role family farmers and ranchers play in supporting our nation's economy," Larew said.
He added, "If confirmed, Ms. Rollins will begin her tenure at a time when family farmers and our communities face historic challenges, including soaring input costs, difficult market conditions, extreme weather events, and the ongoing need for the certainty of a five-year farm bill. We are eager to collaborate on solutions that ensure fair markets, a robust agriculture economy, and vibrant rural communities. Together, we can advance a stronger future for agriculture and rural America."
As a breaking story, more reactions from agricultural groups will be reported in the coming days.
Chris Clayton can be reached at Chris.Clayton@dtn.com
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