Recently confirmed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins delivered opening remarks at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C., vowing for the agency to be a steward and servant of the people.
“We have much to do together. The need is acute. You all know — and America’s farmers and ranchers know — that American agriculture is in its worst economic straits in nearly a century, with grave challenges on prices, markets, and labor intersecting all at once,” Rollins said, according to a news release.
Rollins outlined the agency’s agenda, which includes ensuring U.S. agriculture is competitive on a world stage, to ensure that U.S. agriculture feeds all of the country and the world, to fight disease, and manage land and forests and more.
International Fresh Produce Association CEO Cathy Burns said in a statement that IFPA looks forward to working closely with Rollins, as the association has a long history of collaboration with the USDA to further the fresh produce industry and improve the health and well-being of all Americans. The association said it will continue to engage with Rollins and USDA leadership to reduce regulatory burdens, enhance nutrition programs and improve the economic viability of fresh produce businesses.
“By working together, IFPA and USDA can support U.S. growers and promote better public health. Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership, USDA can ensure a strong, competitive, and sustainable fresh produce supply chain for both growers and consumers,” Burns said.
Ensuring controlled environment agriculture remains a key component of U.S. food production is a key objective for the CEA Alliance in the new administration, said Tom Stenzel, the alliance’s executive director.
“Indoor farming plays a vital role in strengthening domestic food security, expanding year-round fresh produce availability and reducing supply chain disruption,” Stenzel said in a statement. “We are eager to collaborate with Secretary Rollins and the USDA to support policies that encourage innovation and investment in CEA.”
National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said he looks forward to working with Rollins to build a strong future for family farmers and ranchers.
“USDA plays a critical role in serving agriculture effectively and equitably,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Secretary Rollins to address the priorities NFU members continue to elevate: strengthening risk management tools for farmers, ensuring fairness in the marketplace, supporting the next generation of producers, protecting independent family farms from corporate concentration, expanding conservation programs that improve soil health and reduce input costs, advancing mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and securing policies that ensure farmers receive a fair share of the food dollar.”
National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles said Rollins’ role is critical to ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made.
“Her leadership at the USDA is essential as the U.S. potato industry and our specialty crop allies work to pass a new farm bill, secure essential funding for research and market development projects, open new foreign markets, and support the growers and workers who are delivering nutrition to dinner tables around the world,” Quarles said in a statement.
Corey Rosenbusch, CEO and president of The Fertilizer Institute, said Rollins’ connection to agriculture will help her hit the ground running.
“She has a proven track record of leadership and policy expertise that will serve the agricultural sector well as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead,” he said in a statement. “Secretary Rollins’ personal connection to agriculture and her professional achievements ensure she will hit the ground running as a strong advocate for farmers, ranchers, and the agribusiness community; and her leadership, vision and dedication to agriculture will undoubtedly drive progress and innovation at the USDA.”
James Glueck, executive director of the Plant Based Products Council, said the organization looks forward to future collaborations with Rollins’ and the Trump administration to improve the farm economy and foster innovation and manufacturing.
“Her bipartisan confirmation comes at a critical time for the ag bioeconomy as we advance solutions that provide markets for American farmers, increase domestic manufacturing and jobs in rural communities, and offer innovative options that meet consumers’ demands,” he said in a statement.
Andy LaVigne, president and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association, said he and his organization look forward to working with Rollins to drive key seed industry priorities and ensure farmers have access to high-quality and professionally produced seed.
“As the first step in the agricultural value chain, the seed industry plays a critical role in supporting America’s farmers to grow the food, feed, fiber, and fuel they provide to millions of families across the country and around the world,” he said in a statement. “Secretary Rollins’ strong agricultural upbringing and policy expertise will serve her well as she oversees the programs and agencies that farmers and growers rely on to fill grocery shelves and help Americans put food on the table.”
