Brooke Rollins. (USDA)
Washington, DC (February 13, 2025) — Brooke Rollins was sworn in Feb. 13 as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture by Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a private ceremony at the Supreme Court building.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Rollins by a vote of 72-to-28.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as the nation’s thirty-third Secretary of Agriculture — and a privilege beyond description to have the trust of President Donald J. Trump, and the opportunity to advance his agenda," says Rollins. "I am thrilled to lead the United States Department of Agriculture and to serve the people of this country. Every day, I will fight for American farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture community. Together, we have an historic opportunity to revitalize rural America and to ensure that U.S. Agriculture remains the best in the world for generations to come.”
Upon nominating Brooke Rollins in November, Trump said, “Brooke's commitment to support the American Farmer, defense of American Food Self-Sufficiency, and the restoration of Agriculture-dependent American Small Towns is second to none.”
USDA also launched Secretary Rollins’ official X and Instagram accounts: @SecRollins.
About Secretary Rollins
Brooke Leslie Rollins is originally from Glen Rose, Texas.
Most recently, Rollins served as the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). During President Trump’s first administration, she was the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives in the White House. She also previously served as Director of the Office of American Innovation. In these roles, she developed and managed the transformational domestic policy agenda of the Trump Administration, leading to historic achievements for the American people.
Rollins graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development and was the first female to be elected student body president. After earning her Juris Doctor with honors at the University of Texas School of Law, she served as Governor Rick Perry’s policy director before running the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) for 15 years. At TPPF, Rollins elevated a small policy organization to a national force and redefined the possibilities for a state-based think tank — setting the model and aspiration for AFPI.
Rollins and her husband, Mark, call Fort Worth, Texas home, and spend a large majority of their free time taxiing their four very active children to baseball games, cattle shows, piano lessons, and Aggie football games.
ASTA Congratulates Brooke Rollins on Her Confirmation as USDA Secretary
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) issued the following statement after the United States Senate confirmed Brooke Rollins as United States Secretary of Agriculture.
In January, ASTA joined over 400 agricultural, service, and other related groups in a letter to Senate leaders supporting her nomination.
“America’s seed producers sincerely congratulate Secretary Rollins on her confirmation," says Andy LaVigne, ASTA President and CEO. "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. 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.”
“ASTA looks forward to working with Secretary Rollins and her staff to drive key seed industry priorities to ensure that U.S. farmers have access to high quality, professionally produced seed to achieve their goals.”
NCGA Congratulates Secretary Rollins
In response to Rollins' confirmation, Kenneth Hartman Jr, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), released the following statement:
“Corn growers congratulate Brooke Rollins for being confirmed as the new secretary of Agriculture. Secretary Rollins will play an important role in President Trump’s cabinet, providing leadership and vision for America’s farmers and the agricultural community. We look forward to meeting with her and working together to address issues of importance to the nation’s corn growers, including establishing new trade agreements, expanding the use of biofuels and passing a new and robust farm bill.”
National Sorghum Producers welcomes Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture
National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman Amy France, a sorghum farmer from Scott City, KS, issued the following statement regarding Rollins’ confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture.
“We congratulate Secretary Rollins on her confirmation and welcome her leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Her proven commitment to rural America and her innovative vision will play a vital role in advancing our nation’s agricultural industry.
“Sorghum farmers are proud to contribute to homegrown fuels, sustainable farming, and the production of high-quality, nutrient-dense foods for domestic and global consumption. We are eager to work alongside Secretary Rollins to create opportunities that support farmers, strengthen rural economies, and ensure a thriving future for American agriculture.”
National Association of Wheat Growers reacts as Senate confirms Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture
The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule responded to Rollins' confirmation with the following statement.
“Congratulations Secretary Brooke Rollins. I appreciate Mrs. Rollins committing to getting the much-needed economic assistance for wheat producers rolled out during her confirmation hearing, as well as her interest in getting a long-term, meaningful farm bill signed into law this year that strengthens the farm safety net. NAWG looks forward to working with you to deliver real results for wheat growers and rural America.”
NASDA congratulates Secretary Rollins on confirmation and stands ready to work on shared responsibilities
NASDA CEO Ted McKinney says, "The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture congratulates the Honorable Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA as the 33rd U.S. agriculture secretary. Rollin’s policy crafting experience and passion for opportunities for agriculture will contribute tangible impacts for American farmers and ranchers and people around the globe who enjoy U.S. food products.
"NASDA is enthusiastic to work with the secretary on our priorities including increasing economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food producers, advancing a new farm bill, improving Americans’ access to nutrient-dense foods and ensuring American agriculture can continue to provide the most secure, affordable and nutritious food supply in the world.
"As co-regulators with the federal government on agricultural, food and environmental policies, NASDA will work with the secretary to ensure agriculture leads the way toward a healthy and resilient world.”
Statement from National Farmers Union President Larew on Brooke Rollins’ confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew gave the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Rollins:
“I offer my congratulations to Secretary Rollins on her confirmation on behalf of Farmers Union’s family farmer and rancher members across the country. The Secretary of Agriculture is an incredibly influential public servant role, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) work impacts every farmer, rancher, and rural American across the country.
“I look forward to working with Secretary Rollins to ensure the continued growth of our nation’s agriculture economy and build a strong future for family farmers and ranchers. With a deep background in rural Texas and agricultural education paired with a career in policy at the state and federal levels, Secretary Rollins will provide a unique perspective as Agriculture Secretary.
“USDA plays a critical role in serving agriculture effectively and equitably. 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.”
The Fertilizer Institute applauds confirmation of USDA Secretary Rollins
Following the confirmation of Rollins as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, The Fertilizer Institute President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released the following statement:
“TFI and the fertilizer industry congratulate Secretary Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 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. 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 undoubtably drive progress and innovation at the USDA.
“TFI looks forward to working with Secretary Rollins to strengthen American agriculture and meet head-on the challenges facing our industry as we continue to provide the nutrients that feed, fuel, and clothe a growing world.”
Statement on the Confirmation of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and Competitive Markets Action (CMA) issued the following congratulatory statement on the official appointment of Rollins.
While the organizations were disappointed by Rollins’ comments during the confirmation hearing regarding Proposition 12 — a measure that the Chinese-owned Smithfield and the so-called National Pork Producers Council continue to attack — the groups remain hopeful that, as she gains a deeper understanding of the issue, her strong track record on states' rights will guide her to uphold state laws as they stand.
“We look forward to working closely with Secretary Rollins to reform the USDA’s scandal-ridden Commodity Checkoff Programs, which continue to put countless American family farmers out of business with their own money,” says Taylor Haynes, President of the Organization for Competitive Markets, and Marty Irby, President of Competitive Markets Action. “We call on Secretary Rollins to pursue checkoff reform with Reps. Nancy Mace, Thomas Massie, and Victoria Spartz, as well as Sens. Rand Paul and Mike Lee, who continue to champion reform efforts in Congress with the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act.”
“With the departure of former Secretary Tom Vilsack — whose tenure was marked by a troubling legacy of favoritism toward multinational foreign conglomerates in China and Brazil, conflicts of interest, and a lack of accountability — we call on the Trump Administration to condemn the harmful EATS Act, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS), and urge Secretary Rollins to uphold Proposition 12 and other state laws designed to support American family farmers who utilize more humane and regenerative agriculture practices. We congratulate Secretary Rollins on becoming the first female Secretary of Agriculture in two decades and only the second in American history, and we stand ready, willing, and able to work with her and her team to reform the deep-rooted systemic corruption at USDA.”
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