Trump's Agricultural Leadership Choice: Brooke Rollins
Background and Education
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday his intention to appoint Brooke Rollins from Texas as the next Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins is the president and CEO of the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute. Trump praised her, stating that as the next USDA secretary, she will spearhead the effort to protect American farmers, who are the backbone of the country. Rollins graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in agriculture development. Growing up in the small and agriculture-centered town of Glen Rose, Texas, she has a deep-rooted connection to the agricultural world. Her years of leadership involvement with Future Farmers of America and 4H, along with her generational family farming background, have equipped her with practical experience and policy credentials at both the state and national levels.She guided her four kids in their show cattle careers, demonstrating her hands-on approach to agriculture. This diverse background has made her a well-rounded candidate for the position.
Roles and Achievements
During the first Trump administration, Rollins served in several important roles. She was with the Domestic Policy Council and also served as the director of the Office of American Innovation and assistant to the president for strategic initiatives. In these positions, she developed and managed the transformational domestic policy agenda of the Trump Administration, leading to historic achievements for the American people.A conservative lawyer, Rollins earned her law degree at the University of Texas. Later, she served as the policy director for former Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who was the secretary of Energy in the first Trump administration. She also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, for 15 years, bringing her extensive policy expertise to the table.
USDA's Responsibilities and Current Initiatives
If confirmed by the Senate, Rollins will run a crucial agency that administers roughly $213 billion in mandatory and discretionary funding. The current secretary is Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa. USDA manages food safety practices, conducts agriculture and conservation research, handles farm management, and administers the government's largest food benefits program for low-income families, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The agency also provides federal grants for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).During the first Trump administration, Rollins played a significant role in these areas. Now, with the Biden administration's climate and clean energy program, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, USDA is implementing portions of it. Over the next five years, the IRA will provide USDA with about $20 billion for conservation programs that mitigate climate change. However, Republicans have been critical of the climate law and have vowed to claw back some of the funds. Rollins is likely to work closely with former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom Trump says he will nominate to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, if confirmed by the Senate, has publicly voiced his plans to influence the agriculture industry.
Farm Bill Delays and Future Work
One of the big efforts for the next secretary is to work with Congress to finalize the delayed farm bill that sets agriculture and conservation policy for the next five years. A significant portion of the farm bill consists of the nutrition program, or SNAP. Rollins will face the challenge of navigating these complex issues and ensuring the well-being of American farmers and the agricultural sector.With her extensive experience and leadership skills, Rollins is well-positioned to take on this important task and make a positive impact on the agricultural landscape.