It’s day one for Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, and she already is tackling areas

The Department of Agriculture officially has a new leader, and she is the only second female Agriculture Secretary in history.

She was sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas shortly after the Senate approved her nomination. It is all business today as she begins her first full day on the job, and she says she wants to take USDA back to its original intent.

One big item she will need to address is the President’s spending freeze and staffing at the Department. This week, a federal judge cleared the way for President Trump’s government employee buyout. It is unclear how many of the 80,000 applications work for USDA.

Rollins says President Trump called to congratulate her shortly after her confirmation. He told her he stands with farmers, and will only make decisions that help them.

Related Stories
Drought and Planting Shape Weekly State Agriculture Recap
USDA officials are increasing surveillance and sterile fly dispersal efforts as New World screwworm cases continue growing in Mexico near the Texas border.
Farmers will soon be asked to help shape some of USDA’s most closely watched crop and inventory reports.
RealAg Radio Host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the latest U.S.-China ag trade agreements, market reaction, and what producers should watch moving forward.
The latest USDA price projections are raising new questions about crop payments and ARC calculations.
CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to the death of the affected animal.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.