Outlier Brooke Rollins appointed as next US secretary of agriculture

In a surprise pick, President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brooke Rollins as his next US department of agriculture secretary.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Brooke Rollins as the next US secretary of agriculture in a surprising choice that defies weeks of speculation favouring other high-profile contenders for the role such as Glenn Thompson and Charles Herbster.

“As our next secretary of agriculture, Brooke will spearhead the effort to protect American farmers, who are truly the backbone of our country,” Trump said in a statement on last Saturday (23) evening.

Taking over from current agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack, Rollins’ nomination must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled senate when Trump assumes office in January 2025.

Wine industry concerns

The wine industry has voiced pressing concerns in the lead-up to this appointment. These include uncertainty around the expired Farm Bill, which funds vital USDA programmes, such as crop insurance, research grants, and international marketing initiatives. Michael Kaiser, executive vice president of WineAmerica, recently told db that the industry relies heavily on these programmes.

“There are a lot of wineries that apply for grants to support promotion, as well as research facilities conducting work on issues like pest and disease management. These programmes are crucial.”

Labour is another critical issue. Trump’s immigration policies, including plans for mass deportations, have raised alarms about the potential impact on vineyard labour. Kaiser described this as “the biggest elephant in the room” for the sector, pointing out the legal and undocumented workers could both be affected.

Who is Brooke Rollins?

Brooke Rollins is no stranger to politics or agriculture. She grew up in a farming family in Texas and earned a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University before pursuing a law degree at the University of Texas. During Trump’s first term (2017-2021) she served as acting director of the Domestic Policy Council, a role that included oversight of agricultural initiatives​.

Following her time in the White House, Rollins became the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a think tank dedicated to advancing Trump’s policy agenda. Her unwavering loyalty to Trump has been a hallmark of her career, with Rollins describing him as an “amazing boss,” Associated Press reported.

Looking ahead

For now, the wine and agricultural industries are taking a wait-and-see approach. Kaiser has told db “not to expect any roadblocks to her being confirmed.”

Rollins’ ability to address pressing issues such as resolving the Farm Bill impasse, mitigating the impact of tariffs, and ensuring a stable labour force, remains untested.

Posting on X, Rollins said “It will be the honour of my life to fight for America’s farmers and our nation’s agricultural communities. This is big stuff for a small-town ag girl from Glen Rose.”

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