Ag secretary nomination announced | Pet Food Processing

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump announced over the weekend that he would nominate Brooke Rollins as the next Agriculture Secretary.

Rollins currently works as president and chief executive officer of America First Policy Institute, where she’s held that role since 2021. She previously worked as director of the Domestic Policy Council during the first Trump administration.

“Brooke’s commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent Small Towns is second to none,” the Trump transition team wrote in a statement.

Rollins also posted on X on Nov. 23 following the announcement.

“Thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to serve as the next US Secretary of Agriculture,” she wrote. “It will be the honor of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our Nation’s agricultural communities. This is big stuff for a small-town ag girl from Glen Rose, Texas — truly the American Dream at its greatest.”

Rollins grew up in Glen Rose, Texas, and was a member of the National FFA Organization growing up. She holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture development from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) provided a statement on the nomination.

“We congratulate Brooke Rollins on her nomination to be Secretary of Agriculture,” said Zippy Duvall, president of AFBF. “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.”

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