Meet Brooke Rollins, Trump’s New Choice for Agriculture Secretary

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s new Secretary of Agriculture nominee | America First Policy Institute (AFPI)

Despite initial rumors and rumblings that former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler would be nominated for the position, Donald Trump instead announced his intent to nominate Brooke Rollins as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, succeeding the outgoing Tom Vilsack.

While nominations aren’t set in stone, as was the case with Matt Gaetz dropping out after being the presumptive Attorney General nominee, Rollins is unlikely to face internal opposition in a new Senate with a Republican majority that could jeopardize other Trump picks due to past controversies and investigations. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at Brooke Rollins, her background, and what she brings to the position.

Who is Brooke Rollins, the Next U.S. Agriculture Secretary?

As reported by PBS, Brooke Rollins graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in agricultural development and later obtained her law degree from the University of Texas. Her past employment experience includes:

• Aide to Former Texas Governor Rick Perry
• Judicial clerk in the Northern District of Texas
• Running the Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Litigation attorney in Dallas, TX

However, her most notable past work includes serving in the previous Trump administration with the titles of the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives.

Additionally, Rollins currently serves as the President and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a non-profit research institute that promotes the public policy agenda of a second Trump administration, where Linda McMahon, the newly nominated Secretary of Education, sits as chairperson.

Agricultural Positions of a Second Trump Term

Details on agricultural policies of a second Trump administration are currently unclear, as the President-Elect has not offered many specifics for the sector. However, here at Greenhouse Grower, we previously covered the effects of his proposed tariffs, his role in shaping a new farm bill, and more ways a second Trump term could heavily affect the agriculture industry.

One area of interest and concern is the role Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will have in Trump’s new administration. Nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr. has vowed to use his position to significantly impact and influence agriculture policy and the food industry, which are more the responsibilities of the USDA and FDA, respectively.

For example, regarding some of his opinions in the agricultural space, RFK Jr. has pushed for the elimination of pesticide use on certain crops and removing seed oils from food. If RFK Jr. aims to exert influence on U.S. policy regarding these beliefs and more, then he is likely to butt heads with Brooke Rollins.

Statements on the Nomination of Brooke Rollins as Ag Secretary

Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, released a statement at the news of Rollins’ nomination:

“We congratulate Brooke Rollins on her nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture. We’re pleased she has a good relationship with our state Farm Bureau in Texas and hope to build on it if she’s confirmed by the Senate. We’re encouraged by her statement that she’d ‘fight for America’s farmers and our nation’s agricultural communities.’ Effective leadership at USDA is more important than ever as farmers and ranchers face a struggling agricultural economy.”

Additionally, the National Farmers Union issued the following statement:

“I congratulate Ms. Rollins on her nomination as Secretary of Agriculture on behalf of the National Farmers Union’s farmer and rancher members across the country. I am hopeful her rural roots instilled in her the important role family farmers and ranchers play in supporting our nation’s economy.”

“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.”

What do you think of President-Elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture? Leave a comment below and let us know!