Brooke Rollins: Cultivating Change at the Helm of American Agriculture

Brooke Leslie Rollins, the 33rd United States Secretary of Agriculture, is a figure whose career has been as dynamic and impactful as the vast agricultural landscapes she now oversees. Assuming office on February 13, 2025, under President Donald Trump, Rollins brings a formidable background in conservative policy shaping and a narrative deeply rooted in America's heartland to one of Washington's most critical departments. Her journey from a Texas farm to the apex of agricultural policy offers a compelling study in conviction, influence, and the complex interplay of ideology and governance.   

Born April 10, 1972, in Glen Rose, Texas, Rollins' early life was steeped in the rhythms of agriculture. Raised on a farm, her formative years included active participation in 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), engaging in barrel racing, raising livestock, and spending summers working on her family's corn, potato, and soybean farm in Minnesota. This upbringing is a cornerstone of her public persona, connecting her to the very communities her department serves.   

Her academic prowess was evident early on. At Texas A&M University, she earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural development with honors in 1994, notably becoming the first woman elected student body president. This pioneering spirit also defined her pursuit of a Juris Doctor, again with honors, from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. These achievements were early indicators of a drive that would see her rise through the ranks of Texas and, eventually, national politics.   

Rollins' professional ascent began in law, clerking for a U.S. Federal District Court Judge before moving into the office of then-Texas Governor Rick Perry. Here, she honed her policy skills as deputy general counsel, ethics advisor, and policy director. However, it was her nearly 15-year tenure (2003-2018) as President and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) that truly marked her arrival as a significant force in conservative thought. Under her leadership, the Austin-based think tank burgeoned from a modest team of three to a staff of one hundred, earning her a place among Texas Monthly's 25 most powerful Texans in 2011. At TPPF, Rollins championed policies reflective of a deep-seated conservative economic philosophy, including calls to end agricultural subsidies and opposition to ethanol mandates—stances that, while ideologically consistent, sometimes presented a complex counterpoint to the interests of some within the agricultural sector she would later lead.   

The first Trump administration beckoned in 2018, with Rollins taking the helm of the Office of American Innovation and later serving as Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives. A key achievement during this period was her influential advocacy for the First Step Act, a landmark bipartisan criminal justice reform bill. By May 2020, she was appointed Acting Director of the Domestic Policy Council, tasked with managing the administration's "transformational domestic policy agenda" during a period of national unrest, publicly emphasizing the need "to bring together all sides of the table."   

With the change in administration, Rollins didn't step back from the policy arena. In 2021, she co-founded the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), serving as its President and CEO. AFPI rapidly established itself as a powerhouse, staffed by many former Trump officials and dedicated to promoting the "America First" agenda. It became a vocal opponent of President Biden's economic plans and championed policies aimed at bolstering domestic food security, reducing regulatory burdens like the Waters of the United States rule, and empowering rural communities.   

Her nomination as Secretary of Agriculture by then-President-elect Trump on November 23, 2024, was seen by many as a natural progression. Confirmed by the Senate in a strong 72–28 bipartisan vote, Rollins became the second woman to lead the USDA. Her tenure began with a flurry of decisive actions, underscoring a leadership style characterized by speed and ideological clarity.   

As Secretary, Rollins has outlined an ambitious agenda. She pledged to shield farmers from potential fallout from tariff policies, a significant concern given the experiences of Trump's first term. Her early priorities included the rapid deployment of disaster and economic aid—with the USDA reporting over $7.3 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds disbursed to nearly half a million farmers within her first few months. Addressing animal disease outbreaks, modernizing the USDA, and ensuring long-term rural prosperity are also high on her list.   

Several key initiatives mark her initial period in office. The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative, a joint effort with the Department of Health and Human Services, aims to tackle chronic health issues through revised dietary guidelines and state-led innovation. A five-point plan was swiftly introduced to combat avian flu and lower egg costs, with the administration crediting it for a significant decrease in wholesale egg prices.   

However, some of her most impactful—and debated—actions involve a significant reorientation of USDA priorities. Directives were issued to rescind Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and to review Inflation Reduction Act funding for what she termed "far-left climate programs." The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program, a multi-billion-dollar initiative from the previous administration, was cancelled and reformed into the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) initiative, with new "Farmer First" criteria, including a requirement that at least 65% of federal funds go directly to producers. Rollins characterized the PCSC as a "green new scam," arguing it favored NGOs with high administrative fees over farmers.   

These moves have been lauded by supporters as fiscally responsible and a necessary cutting of "red tape," redirecting resources to core agricultural missions and embodying a "Farmers First" approach. Endorsements have come from a broad coalition of agricultural groups and Republican leaders who see her as a champion for rural America, someone with a direct line to the President and a commitment to deregulation.   

Conversely, these same actions have triggered alarm among critics. The cancellation of PCSC and related local food programs caused turmoil for enrolled organizations and raised concerns among food security advocates. Changes to food safety, including the withdrawal of a proposed Salmonella framework for raw poultry and the allowance of increased line speeds in meatpacking plants (while ceasing collection of some worker safety data), have been decried by consumer watchdogs and worker unions as potentially increasing risks to public health and safety. The National Chicken Council, however, supported the Salmonella framework withdrawal.   

Staffing at the USDA has also seen significant shifts, with reports of approximately 15,000 employees leaving through buyouts or resignation programs under the influence of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Rollins states USDA is actively recruiting for critical roles, these departures have sparked concerns about loss of institutional knowledge and potential impacts on service delivery.   

The emotional responses to Rollins' leadership are as polarized as the political landscape. Supporters express fervent admiration and confidence, viewing her swift actions as a necessary course correction. "We are a nation of doers and believers and dreamers," Rollins has stated, embodying an optimism that resonates with her base. Yet, critics voice deep apprehension, fearing setbacks to environmental protection, food equity, and scientific integrity within the department.

Brooke Rollins' story is one of unwavering ideological conviction married to a sharp strategic mind and a proven ability to lead and transform organizations. Her "America First" vision for agriculture emphasizes deregulation, domestic strength, and efficiency, often pursued with a "creative destruction" approach—dismantling existing structures to rapidly implement new, ideologically aligned ones.

As she continues to shape the USDA, the nation watches to see how these policies will impact the delicate balance of feeding a nation, supporting its agricultural backbone, conserving its natural resources, and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens. Her tenure promises to be a pivotal chapter in the ongoing narrative of American agriculture, one defined by bold strokes, fervent debate, and the enduring spirit of a woman who rose from the Texas soil to cultivate change on a national scale. The long-term harvest of her policies remains to be seen, but her impact is undeniably already taking root.