Ag Sec. Brooke Rollins recently visited North Carolina to assess damage from recent natural disasters

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has now visited natural disaster-stricken parts of western North Carolina.

During her visit, Rollins surveyed damage caused by recent wildfires and last fall’s hurricanes. She toured the Blue Ridge Parkway, received a wildfire operational briefing, and participated in a U.S. Forest Service roundtable with Asheville leaders.

She shared in a statement:

“I met with North Carolinians who have suffered unimaginable loss from recent natural disasters. The U.S. Forest Service was well-prepared, assessing wildfire risks in advance and strategically positioning resources to respond quickly. Thanks to their efforts, they were able to contain the fires swiftly... USDA continues to work closely with state and local agencies, as well as first responders, to support these communities and restore the public lands that so many rural residents depend on.”

Related Stories
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.