By Jamie Martin
Brooke Rollins, the Agriculture Secretary nominee, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee, discussing her background and priorities. Growing up in Glen Rose, Texas, she participated actively in FFA and 4-H, which inspired her to pursue Agricultural Development at Texas A&M University.
After graduating, Rollins began her career in agricultural policy under Governor Rick Perry, where she gained valuable leadership experience. Reflecting on her roots, she said, “It was an awesome responsibility for a young woman still in her twenties — and I loved it, because I loved Texas agriculture.”
Rollins identified five priorities for her role -
- Fast-tracking disaster and economic aid.
- Addressing avian flu and New World Screwworm outbreaks.
- Collaborating with Congress on the Farm Bill.
- Revitalizing the USDA to better serve agriculture and the nation. She stated, “This Department must be aggressive, effective, and focused on its core mission.”
- Improving rural development, trade programs, and nutrition efficiency while reducing regulations.
Senator John Thune urged Rollins to work on reinstating Country-of-Origin Labelling (COOL) for cattle in a WTO-compliant way. Rollins expressed her support for finding solutions.
She also committed to collaborating with Labour Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer to reform the H-2A program, ensuring deportation efforts target criminal offenders. Rollins plans to clarify USDA program eligibility and payment limits soon.
Rollins' priorities highlight her dedication to strengthening American agriculture and ensuring farmers have the resources they need for success.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National