Missouri Director of Ag Reacts to Secretary Rollins’ Visit, USDA Plan to Help Farmers

Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joined us Monday to share highlights from Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit and her perspective on USDA’s new initiatives.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (RFD-TV) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Missouri last week to unveil a new five-step plan aimed at supporting the farm economy during a time of high input costs and challenging markets. While in the state, Rollins toured local operations, including Missouri producer Marty Richardson’s farm, and met directly with producers to hear their concerns.

Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share highlights from the visit and her perspective on USDA’s new initiatives.

In her conversation with RFD-TV News, Chinn described the value of bringing Secretary Rollins to Missouri to witness firsthand the work being done by the state’s producers. She also recapped the announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Justice Department to examine fertilizer and seed costs, emphasizing how those rising expenses have put pressure on Missouri farmers.

Chinn underscored the importance of open dialogue between producers and federal leaders, sharing her insights into the broader conversations that took place during the farm tour — from harvest progress to the ongoing challenges farmers are facing this season.

Related Stories
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us to break down the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision overturning a prior Tax Court decision on self-employment tax for limited partners, the ruling’s impact on farmers, and potential next steps in Congress.
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.