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
The American Coalition for Ethanol reacts as the Farm Bill heads to a full House vote — while ethanol expansion, including year-round E15, is left out — as well as the USDA’s pursuit of global markets for ethanol.
Big oils-and-fats volumes can support crush demand, but fuel markets can quickly tighten supplies.
Mexican livestock officials are emphasizing surveillance and inspection systems to preserve access to the U.S. cattle export market. Texas’ Bovina Feeders explains the rising stakes as the border stays closed.
Nutrition policy shifts may influence retail demand across agriculture.
Farm Bureau Economist Dr. Faith Parum explains the role farm safety net programs play in supporting farm finances as growers head into the 2026 planting season.
Bipartisan momentum builds, but final farm policy remains unsettled.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Nebraska Farm Bureau President Mark McHargue joined us to discuss wildfire recovery efforts in the state, impacts to agriculture, and conditions heading into the spring planting season.
USDA’s Quarterly Grain Stocks report shows increased supplies across all major commodities, with corn, soybeans, and wheat stocks all rising compared to a year ago. Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses producer and market sentiment ahead of the key report.
Acre shifts reflect margins, costs, and market opportunities.
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler breaks down the Grocery Guarantee Program, its goals for expanding farmer access to capital, and its potential impact on food production and prices.
The USDA’s upcoming reports will drop on Tuesday afternoon, giving the trade real results on acreage shifts, drought concerns, and ongoing trade tensions, adding uncertainty for U.S. farmers.
Firefighters are making good progress on two major wildfires burning across parts of Nebraska.