In a series of announcements, President Donald Trump has named Gary Washington as the acting Secretary of Agriculture.
Washington was selected as the USDA Chief Information Officer in February 2018. His appointment comes as Brooke Rollins awaits Senate confirmation for the role, with her hearing scheduled for Thursday in the Senate Agriculture Committee.
In addition, the President has announced James Payne will temporarily lead the EPA, and Juan Millan will serve as the acting Ambassador of Trade in the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
Related Stories
Hurd joined this week’s Champions of Rural America to review the proposed Farm Bill moving through the House and discuss its potential impact on rural communities and farmers across the country.
Nutrition policy shifts may influence retail demand across agriculture.
Weak crop margins and tariff uncertainty are delaying machinery purchases and signaling slower capital investment across U.S. 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.
Corn demand is rising thanks to ethanol expansion, yet year-round E15 remains missing from the Farm Bill—leaving farmers questioning the policy gap.
Cuban economic reforms could open up nearby export demand, but policy execution remains the key uncertainty.