Support for The Nomination of Luke Lindberg

Letter

Dear Leaders Thune and Schumer,

We write to you today in support of Luke Lindberg’s nomination to be the next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We strongly support Mr. Lindberg’s nomination and respectfully urge you to expedite a vote in favor of his confirmation.

Mr. Lindberg’s leadership and strong advocacy is needed at a critical time for U.S. farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses that we represent nationwide. As you know, the U.S. rural and agricultural economy faces many challenges including uncertain market access, increased costs, higher competition from overseas competitors, and a nearly $50 billion agricultural trade deficit. Mr. Lindberg will be vital to the necessary trade and agriculture efforts to address these challenges head on.

Throughout his career, Mr. Lindberg has been a proponent of using trade to strengthen U.S. agriculture. As President and CEO of South Dakota Trade, Mr. Lindberg collaborated with local and regional agriculture groups and led several international trade missions to help South Dakota producers and agricultural partners navigate the global trade landscape. Prior to that, as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States he managed day-to-day operations, and advanced strategic initiatives including opening new markets for American producers.

Furthermore, Mr. Lindberg garnered bipartisan support among key agricultural stakeholders, support that was reflected in the unanimous vote to report favorably his nomination by the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry. This trust and confidence with key stakeholders will ensure that agricultural trade is continuously prioritized at USDA and the White House.

U.S. agriculture needs Mr. Lindberg to join Secretary Brooke Rollins and Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden at USDA to champion American farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers as we continue to nourish the world with the most secure, affordable and nutritious food on the globe.

Again, we urge the U.S. Senate to promptly confirm Mr. Luke Lindberg as USDA’s next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Thank you for your consideration and for your dedication to serving America’s agricultural community.

Sincerely,

Agriculture Transportation Coalition – AgTC
Almond Alliance
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Maritime Officers
American Maritime Officers Service
American Seed Trade Association
American Sheep Industry Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
American Sugarbeet Growers Association
AmericanHort
Animal Health Institute
Beef Alliance
Blue Diamond Growers
Bushel, Inc
California Citrus Mutual
California Fresh Fruit Association
CHS Inc.
Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports
CoBank
Corn Refiners Association
Cotton Warehouse Association of America
Crop Insurance Professionals Association
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Farm Credit Services of America
Farmers for Free Trade
Farmers’ Rice Cooperative
Food Export Association of the Midwest USA
Food Export USA–Northeast
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Growth Energy
IL Corn Growers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Fresh Produce Association
International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots
Kansas Livestock Association
Kansas Sorghum Producers
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Leather and Hide Council of America
Liberty Maritime Corporation
Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development
Meat Import Council of America
Meat Institute
Midwest Dry Bean Coalition
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Chicken Council
National Confectioners Association
National Cooperative Business Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Fisheries Institute
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA)
National Pecan Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Sunflower Association
National Turkey Federation
Netafim USA
North American Blueberry Council
North American Export Grain Association
North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Organic Produce Association
Pet Food Institute
Pinion, LLC
Poet LLC
Seafarers International Union
Softwood Export Council
South Carolina Peach Council
South Dakota Association of Cooperatives
South Dakota Biotech
South Dakota Corn Growers Association
South Dakota Dairy Producers (SDDP)
South Dakota Soybean Association
Southern United States Trade Association
Southwest Council of Agribusiness
Sweetener Users Association
U.S. Beet Sugar Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains Council
U.S. Peanut Federation
U.S. Wheat Associates
United States Meat Export Federation
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Pulses
USA Rice
Washington Apple Commission
Washington State Fruit Commission
Western Peanut Growers Association
Wine Institute

July 7, 2025

The Agricultural Coalition

The Honorable John Thune
Senate Majority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
Senate Minority Leader
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Support for The Nomination of Luke Lindberg