Secretary Rollins Begins Official USDA Role With Visits to Farmers in Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas

Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture on Feb. 13, after a Senate vote of 72 to 28. Rollins didn’t stay in her new office in the Jamie L. Whitten Building long before heading out to visit farmers and ranchers across the country. In her first seven days in the role, Rollins made stops in Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas and traveled more than 3,000 miles.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Rollins gathered with friends, family, and staff at the USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. shortly after being confirmed to her cabinet position. She gave brief remarks after arriving at the Whitten Building. More than more than 400 USDA employees, stakeholders, and congressional members and staff were in attendance.

One of her first acts while settling into the new office was signing a letter to firefighters of the U.S. Forest Service. In part, it read, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture has the largest and most sophisticated wildland firefighting workforce in the world, and I am honored to serve and support you. I am committed to ensuring that you have the tools and resources you need to safely and effectively carry out your mission.”

Friday, Feb. 14

Rollins’ first official trip as USDA Secretary was to Kentucky. On Friday, she made the rounds at National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville. She posed for photos with exhibitors and show attendees and joined the Championship Tractor Pull.

“We appreciated the opportunity to host Secretary Rollins in our booth at the National Farm Machinery Show and look forward to working with her on opportunities to help farmers and ranchers be more productive and profitable in their operations,” said a John Deere spokesperson.

“It was my honor to address 15,000 freedom-loving patriots in Louisville, Kentucky at the National Farm Machinery Show,” Rollins said in a press release.

In addition to her first public appearance, Rollins’ office said she took these “key actions” on Friday.

1. Issued a memorandum to rescind all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs and celebrations.
2. Sent a letter to governors outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “laboratories for innovation” initiative.
3. Sent a notice to state leaders encouraging them to participate in pilot programs to reform SNAP.
4. Convened a briefing on avian flu and reviewed options for a comprehensive strategy to combat the virus and lower the price of eggs.
5. Delivered a video message and letter of gratitude to U.S. Forest Service firefighters for their recent actions during the wildfires in California.
6. Reviewed and implemented findings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
7. Held media availability at the White House.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Rollins spent Saturday morning at Gallrein Farms in Shelbyville, Kentucky where she was named an Honorary Ag Commissioner by Kentucky Ag Commissioner Jonathan Shell. More than 100 local farmers gathered and discussed issues such as avian flu, trade, and restoring rural prosperity.

After hosting the gathering, Gallrein Farms posted photos to their Instagram page and said, “It was an invaluable opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation with local farmers and discuss some of the pressing issues facing the agriculture industry. A heartfelt thank you to Secretary Rollins for taking time to listen and support the farmers who are the backbone of our community.”

Monday, Feb. 17

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kan. met Rollins for a tour and roundtable discussion at High Plains Ponderosa Dairy in Plains, Kansas on Monday.

Sorghum farmer Amy France was one of the roundtable participants and was “thrilled” to have the opportunity to “showcase the heart of farm country,” she told Brownfield Ag News.

Kansas is the number one sorghum producing state and France believes the crop can play a key role in accomplishing the Trump administration’s trade goals, particularly with India. A 50% tariff is a current hurdle, she explained to the Secretary.

In addition to being used for renewable fuels, as a non-GMO and gluten free crop, there are opportunities for sorghum in the food world right now, France told Rollins.

Rollins also visited Finney County Feeders in Garden City, where she observed feedlot operations. 

Rollins’ third and final stop in Western Kansas was to the National Beef packing plant in Liberal. She toured the facility and met with leaders and workers of the plant.

“Kansas is at the heart of American agriculture, and its farmers and ranchers play a critical role in feeding the world,” Rollins said. “The meaningful discussions I participated in over the last two days will help shape policies that support long-term success, not just for Midwest producers, but for agriculture across the country.”

“I’m grateful that Secretary Rollins chose the Big First as her first official producer visit following her confirmation,” Mann said in a press release. “Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Big First District, and the livelihoods of the men and women in our district depend on sound farm and food policy that provide certainty as they work day in and day out to feed, clothe, and fuel the world. As one of the top agricultural producing districts in the country, I’m thankful the Secretary got to hear the perspectives of some of the nation’s top agricultural producers, and I am looking forward to working with her and President Trump to empower those who answer the noble call of feeding, clothing, and fueling the world.”

Tuesday, Feb. 18

On Tuesday, Rollins participated in a fireside chat at the Top Producer Summit in Kansas City, Missouri.

Following the event, Secretary Rollins hosted a roundtable discussion with farmers spanning multiple states and sectors to discuss policy priorities for USDA.

Upon returning to Washington D.C., Rollins hosted a roundtable discussion at USDA headquarters with U.S. Forest Service (USFS) wildland firefighters who were deployed to the Southern California fires. The participants include members from the Mark Twain National Forest Veteran Crew, based in Cassville, Missouri and the Angeles National Forest Engine Crew, based out of Arcadia, California.

Rollins thanked them for their heroic service during the recent California fires. She also spent time hearing their perspective on ways in which the Forest Service could better support firefighters.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Rollins participated in National FFA Week celebrations in her home state of Texas on Wednesday.

Texas Representative David Cook posted a photo of Rollins, and her mother, Rep. Helen Kerwin, to X and said, “Texas is well represented at the national level, and I have no doubt Secretary Rollins will serve our country well.”

Rollins reposted and said, “Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome and letting me celebrate Texas FFA day alongside so many warriors. Really appreciated connecting with so many of you on key agriculture issues facing our Texas.”

Thursday, Feb. 20

On Thursday Rollins met with farmers from seven states – Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Iowa, Arkansas, and West Virginia – at the USDA Headquarters in Washington D.C. Operations represented ranged from poultry and beef to dairy and row crops.

In addition to discussing avian flu, participants shared thoughts about expanding access to capital for young farmers, lowering input costs, and disaster relief, said a press statement from Rollins’ office.