President-elect Trump has been making significant strides in announcing his cabinet picks. One crucial position that has drawn attention is that of the Secretary of Agriculture. On Saturday, he announced his intent to name Brooke Rollins of Texas to this important role. Let's take a closer look at some of the names on his unofficial short list.

Unveiling Trump's Agricultural Leadership Choices

Abel Maldonado: A California Agricultural Figure

Abel Maldonado hails from Santa Maria, California. Currently, he is the owner of Runway Vineyards. His background is rich in political experience. He was the 48th Lieutenant Governor during Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration. In 2012, he ran for Congress but was defeated by the Democratic incumbent. Maldonado's early political career saw him serve as the Mayor of Santa Maria and a California State Senator. Growing up in the Santa Maria Valley as the son of an immigrant Mexican family, he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study crop science. Later, he left the school to join his family's strawberry farm, which grew into a large operation with refrigerated facilities.Another aspect of Maldonado's life is his connection to agriculture. His expertise in this field and his political background make him a notable candidate for the USDA Secretary position.

Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images: Zippy Duvall - A Georgia Farm Bureau Leader

Zippy Duvall is from Greene County, Georgia and also has a presence in Washington, D.C. He was elected the 12th president of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in 2016. Duvall is a third-generation farmer and, along with his son, raises beef cattle, broiler chickens, and hay. The family farm used to have a dairy. Before his role at AFBF, he served as the president of Georgia Farm Bureau for nearly a decade.Recent events have seen Duvall make headlines. He expelled Illinois Farm Bureau from the national organization due to a membership dispute. Although he has not publicly acknowledged the possibility of serving in the Trump administration, his agricultural background and leadership experience make him a potential candidate.

Kip Tom: An Indiana Agri-Businessman

Kip Tom is based in Leesburg, Indiana and is the Chairman of Tom Farms. During the first Trump administration, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. Before this appointment, he was the Chairman of Tom Farms, one of the largest farms in the state. According to the Tom Farms website, it is a multi-generation family-owned business that is one of the leading suppliers to the DEKALB seed production supply chain and has more than 17,000 acres in production.In addition to his agri-business affairs in Indiana, Tom has served as a crop production consultant to various companies in South America. In 2016, he ran in the Republican primary for Congress but was defeated by Jim Banks. After the election, he spoke to the media and acknowledged his name is on the short list for USDA Secretary. He said, "I would be honored, if asked, to serve. I would serve at the pleasure of the President in any role that he would offer to me at that time."

Mike Conaway: A Texas Political and Business Figure

Mike Conaway is from Midland, Texas and is currently a private consultant. He served as a U.S. representative for Texas' 11th congressional district from 2005 to 2021. In July 2019, he indicated that he would not seek reelection. From 2019 to 2021, he was the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. Prior to that, from 2015 to 2019, he was the Chair of the House Agriculture Committee.Before his political career, Conaway served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1974 and worked as the CFO at a bank and Arbusto Energy Inc in the 1980s. His diverse background in politics and business makes him a strong contender for the USDA Secretary role.

Sid Miller: A Texas Agriculture Commissioner with a Ranching Heritage

Sid Miller is from Stephenville, Texas and is the Texas Agriculture Commissioner. He has been elected to three terms in this position. According to the Texas Department of Agriculture's website, Miller is an eighth-generation farmer and rancher who breeds and trains American Quarter Horses. In his spare time, he is a rodeo cowboy.Recently, Miller told the Texas Tribute that before Trump's 2020 loss, he was in early talks with the administration to lead the USDA. His ranching background and experience in the agricultural field give him valuable insights for the role.

Ray Starling: A USDA Executive with Policy Experience

Ray Starling is from North Carolina and is currently an Executive Advisor at Aimpoint Research and the General Counsel at the NC Chamber. From 2018 to 2019, he served as USDA Chief of Staff, coordinating the execution of the Secretary's policy agenda.His experience in the USDA and his legal background make him a valuable asset in the potential USDA Secretary selection process.