USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on Reforming Agriculture Policy and Putting America First

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plays a critical role in shaping American agriculture policy and food security. In a recent interview, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins shared her vision for reforming the department and addressing key challenges facing farmers and the agriculture industry.

Rollins' Background and Path to USDA

Brooke Rollins brings a unique background to her role as USDA Secretary. She grew up on a small farm in Texas, spending summers working on her grandmother's large row crop farm in Minnesota. This gave her experience with both cattle ranching and major commodity crops like corn, wheat and soybeans.

Rollins studied agriculture at Texas A&M University before going to law school. She worked briefly as a litigator before joining Texas Governor Rick Perry's administration, serving as his deputy general counsel and later policy director.

This experience in state government sparked Rollins' interest in using public policy to drive positive change. She went on to lead the Texas Public Policy Foundation for 15 years, growing it into one of the most influential conservative think tanks in the country.

During the first Trump administration, Rollins served in the White House in various roles, including running the Domestic Policy Council. She helped develop plans and teams for a potential second Trump term. When President Trump won re-election in 2024, Rollins was tapped to lead the USDA.

Reforming USDA and Agriculture Policy

As USDA Secretary, Rollins is focused on realigning the department around its original purpose of serving farmers and ranchers. She notes that over time, USDA has grown significantly and taken on many additional responsibilities beyond agriculture.

Some key priorities Rollins highlighted for reforming USDA and agriculture policy include:

• Cancelling unnecessary contracts and reducing the workforce to improve efficiency
• Reorganizing USDA to refocus on core agriculture priorities
• Expanding markets for American agricultural products through trade negotiations
• Addressing labor shortages facing farmers
• Reforming farm support programs to reduce dependence on government payments
• Improving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to promote better nutrition

Rollins emphasized that food security is national security. She believes maintaining a strong domestic agriculture industry is critical for America's future.

Challenges Facing American Farmers

In her travels meeting with farmers across the country, Rollins has heard about several major challenges:

• Thin profit margins, especially for row crop farmers
• Labor shortages and rising labor costs
• Trade disruptions and loss of export markets
• Competition from imports produced with lower costs
• Consolidation in the agriculture industry

Despite these headwinds, Rollins says farmers remain supportive of efforts to renegotiate trade deals and put America first. They understand short-term pain may be necessary for long-term gain.

Rollins is working to open new export markets for American agricultural products. She plans to travel to countries like India, Japan, South Korea and Brazil to promote US farm goods.

Reforming the SNAP Program

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, accounts for about 70% of USDA's budget at $123 billion annually. Rollins sees significant need for reform in this program.

Key issues she highlighted with SNAP include:

• About $15 billion per year is spent on soda and junk food
• 75% of SNAP recipients are clinically obese
• The program has grown 40% under the Biden administration

Rollins wants to restrict the use of SNAP benefits for unhealthy foods and promote better nutrition. She is working with Secretary of Health and Human Services Bobby Kennedy Jr. to address the obesity and chronic disease epidemic.

The goal is to move people off government assistance by helping them find good jobs, not expand enrollment in programs like SNAP. Rollins believes most Americans don't want handouts - they want the dignity of work and self-sufficiency.

Balancing Free Market Principles and Government Support

As a conservative with a free market background, Rollins acknowledges some tension in overseeing an agency that administers many government support programs for agriculture.

However, she has come to believe some level of government involvement is necessary to maintain food security and a strong domestic agriculture industry. Programs like crop insurance help keep family farms in business.

Rollins hopes that by expanding markets and improving conditions for farmers, dependence on government programs can be reduced over time. But she cautions against abruptly cutting support that many farmers rely on to stay afloat.

The Upcoming Farm Bill

A major focus for USDA in the coming months will be negotiations over the next Farm Bill. This massive piece of legislation sets agriculture and nutrition policy for 5 years.

Rollins notes the Farm Bill has become a "Christmas tree" with many unrelated provisions added. Only about 15% goes to farm programs, while 85% funds nutrition programs like SNAP.

Negotiating the Farm Bill will require working across the aisle, as Democrats want to protect and expand nutrition programs. Rollins hopes to find common ground to support farmers while also reforming SNAP.

She believes President Trump's leadership will be key to getting a Farm Bill passed that aligns with the administration's priorities.

Innovation in Agriculture

When asked about emerging technologies like cellular agriculture (lab-grown meat, dairy, etc.), Rollins expressed openness to innovation. She believes there should be room for new technologies alongside traditional farming.

However, Rollins is confident that given the choice, most consumers will prefer "real American beef" and other conventional farm products. She wants to avoid stifling innovation while also protecting the interests of farmers and ranchers.

Conclusion

As USDA Secretary, Brooke Rollins faces the challenge of reforming a massive federal agency while addressing the needs of farmers and ensuring food security for all Americans. Her background in conservative policy and experience in the first Trump administration inform her approach.

Rollins aims to refocus USDA on its core mission of supporting agriculture, open new markets for American farm products, reform nutrition assistance programs, and reduce dependence on government support over time. Negotiating the upcoming Farm Bill will be a key test of her ability to advance these priorities.

While embracing free market principles, Rollins also recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong domestic agriculture industry for national security. Balancing these priorities will be critical as she leads USDA in putting American farmers first.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avlm1GWEgQI