Letter

Dear Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar:

We write in support of Brooke Leslie Rollins’ nomination to be the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture. We represent farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses nationwide —encompassing all aspects of American agriculture, food, nutrition and rural America — and we look forward to Ms. Rollins’ strong leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Ms. Rollins has been engaged in American agriculture since an early age, baling hay and raising livestock in Glen Rose, Texas. Rollins spent summers working on her family’s farm in Minnesota and participated in all levels of 4-H and FFA. She continues to raise livestock today and is now passing her passion for agriculture on to her children, who are also involved in FFA and showing steers. Rollins’ strong foundational knowledge of agriculture also extends to her formal education, attending Texas A&M, where she received her Bachelor of Science in agricultural development on scholarship.

Throughout her career, she has brought the perspectives of the American farmer and rancher to her work. She served as deputy general counsel and policy director for former Texas Governor Rick Perry, where together they advanced many agricultural priorities. She also championed rural priorities across the federal government as President Trump’s former Director of the United States Domestic Policy Council.

In addition, her experience as an executive, building and running two large public policy organizations, has prepared her to provide effective executive leadership for USDA’s important, wide-ranging activities and large workforce. Her close working relationship with incoming President Trump will ensure that agriculture and rural America have a prominent and influential voice at the table when critical decisions are made in the White House.

It is important for Congress to act on Agriculture Secretary-designate Rollins’ nomination in light of the many difficulties facing America’s farmers and rural America. We need her leadership now at USDA to advocate for a new farm bill, stabilize an agricultural economy in decline, support the full food and agriculture and forestry value chain, and continue American agriculture’s long history of providing the most secure, affordable and nutritious food supply in the world. USDA has the power to help turn things around with strong leadership. We look forward to Agriculture Secretary-designate Rollins bringing her unique experience and capabilities to tackle the challenges facing agriculture and rural America once confirmed.

As such, we urge your Committee and the entire U.S. Senate to promptly confirm Ms. Rollins as the next Secretary of Agriculture. Thank you for your consideration, and for your dedication to our nation’s agricultural community.

Sincerely,

Agriculture Retailers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugarbeet Growers Association
CropLife America
Farm Credit Council
International Fresh Produce Association
Meat Institute
National Association of Conservation Districts
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Sorghum Producers
The Fertilizer Institute
USA Rice
21st Century Equipment, LLC
Adam Farms LTD
Adams Land & Cattle
Agribusiness Association of Iowa
Agribusiness Council of Indiana
Agricultural Council of Arkansas
Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas
Alabama Agribusiness Council
Alabama Farmers Federation
Almond Alliance
American Association of Crop Insurers
American Beekeeping Federation
American Forest Foundation (AFF)
American Frozen Food Institute
American Fruit & Vegetable Coalition
American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association
American Meat Science Association
American Pistachio Growers
American Pulse Association
American Sheep Industry Association
American Sugar Alliance
American Sugar Cane League
American Wood Council
Animal Health Institute
Applewood Seed Co.
Archery Trade Association
Arizona Dairy Producers Trade Association
Arkansas Farm Bureau
Arkansas Rice
Arkansas Soybean Association
Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI)
Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO)
Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Bayer
Brownsville Irrigation District
California Ag Irrigation Association
California Alfalfa and Forage Association
California Association of Wheat Growers
California Association of Winegrape Growers
California Bean Shippers Association
California Cherry Growers and Industry Association
California Citrus Mutual
California Dairies, Inc.
California Date Commission
California Farm Bureau
California Grain and Feed Association
California Pacific Seed Association
California Pear Growers
California Pork Producers Association
California Poultry Federation
California Prune Board
California Rice Commission
California Seed Association
California State Floral Association
California Sweetpotato Council
California Warehouse Association
California Wool Growers Association
Cayuga Milk Ingredients
CEA Alliance
Central Valley Ag Cooperative
ClearPath Action
Colorado Dairy Farmers
Colorado Farm Bureau
Colorado Pork Producers Council
Colorado Potato Administrative Committee
Colorado Wool Growers Association
Connealy Angus
Connecticut Farm Bureau Association
Cooperative Milk Producers Association
Corn Refiners Association
Corteva Agriscience
Cotton Warehouse Association of America
Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
Crop Insurance Professionals Association
Dairy Farmers of America
Dairy Producers of New Mexico
Dairy Producers of Utah
Dallas Safari Club
Danielski Farms
Delaware Farm Bureau
Delta Waterfowl
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
DNA Genetics
Ducks Unlimited
Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative
Empire State Forest Products Association
emPower Rural America
Equine Sports Council
Farm Journal Foundation
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
First District Association
Florida Citrus Mutual
Florida Farm Bureau Federation
Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
Florida Rice Growers
Florida Strawberry Growers Association
Florida Sugar Cane League
FMI – The Food Industry Association
Foremost Farms USA
Forest Landowners Association
Forest Resources Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Georgia Agribusiness Council
Georgia Farm Bureau Federation
Georgia Milk Producers, Inc.
Georgia/Florida Soybean Association
Global Cold Chain Alliance
GO Seed
Gowan SeedTech LLC
Grain and Feed Association of Illinois
Gro Alliance
GROWMARK, Inc.
Growth Energy
Hawaii Farm Bureau
Houston Safari Club
Idaho Dairymen’s Association, Inc.
Idaho Farm Bureau Federation
Idaho Grain Producers Association
Idaho Potato Commission
Idaho Wool Growers Association
IL Corn Growers Association
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association
Illinois Milk Producers Association
Illinois Pork Producers Association
Illinois Seed Trade Association, Inc.
Illinois Soybean Association
Imperial Beef LLC
Inari
Independent Bakers Association
Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas
Indiana Corn Growers Association
Indiana Ethanol Producers Association
Indiana Farm Bureau
Indiana Sheep Association
Indiana Soybean Alliance
International Dairy Foods Association
International Wood Products Association
Iowa Farm Bureau
Iowa Pork Producers Association
Iowa Soybean Association
Iowa State Dairy Association
JE Meuret Grain Co. Inc.
JSMM Farms
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association
Kansas Dairy Association
Kansas Farm Bureau
Kansas Grain and Feed Association
Kansas Livestock Association
Kansas Sorghum Producers
Kansas Soybean Association
Kentucky Dairy Development Council
Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Latham Hi-Tech Seeds
Livestock Marketing Association
Livestock Marketing Association of Texas
Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
Louisiana Forestry Association
Louisiana Independent Rice Producers Association
Louisiana Rice Producer Group
Maine Potato Board
Maine Sheep Breeders Association
Maola Local Dairies
Maryland Farm Bureau
Maryland Sheep Breeders Association
Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
Massachusetts Forest Alliance
MayerSeedline, LLC
Michigan Agri-Business Association
Michigan Bean Shippers
Michigan Corn Growers Association
Michigan Farm Bureau
Michigan Milk Producers Association
Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association
Michigan Pork Producers Association
Michigan Sheep Producers Association
Michigan Soybean Association
Mid Atlantic Soybean Association
Midwest Council on Agriculture
Midwest Dairy Coalition
Midwest Dry Bean Coalition
Midwest Food Products Association
Milk Producers Council
Minnesota AgriGrowth
Minnesota Corn Growers Association
Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation
Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Association
Minnesota Soybean Growers Association
Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation
Mississippi Land Bank, ACA
Mississippi Rice Council
Mississippi River Trust
Mississippi Soybean Association
Missouri Corn Growers Association
Missouri Farm Bureau
Missouri Pork Association
Missouri Rice Council
Missouri Soybean Association
Montana Agricultural Business Association
Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Montana Grain Growers Association
Montana Wool Growers Association
Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative Association
National All-Jersey
National Association of FSA County Office Employees
National Barley Growers Association
National Bobwhite & Grassland Initiative Foundation
National Chicken Council
National Cotton Ginners Association
National Farmers Union
National Fisheries Institute
National Grocers Association
National Lamb Feeders Association
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Peach Council
National Pecan Federation
National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
National Potato Council
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
National Seasoning Manufacturers Association
National Sunflower Association
National Thoroughbred Racing Association
National Turkey Federation
National Wild Turkey Federation
NC Agribusiness Council
NCA – The National Confectioners Association
Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation
Nebraska Pork Producers Association
Nebraska Soybean Association
Nebraska State Dairy Association
Nevada Farm Bureau Federation
New Jersey Farm Bureau
New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association
New York Farm Bureau
North American Blueberry Council
North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture
North American Export Grain Association
North American Falconers Association
North American Grouse Partnership
North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
North Carolina Farm Bureau
North Carolina Potato Association
North Dakota Corn Growers Association
North Dakota Grain Growers Association
North Dakota Soybean Growers Association
Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance
Northeast Dairy Producers Association
Northland Potato Growers Association
Northwest Dairy Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Nutrien
NYS Agribusiness Association
NYS Maple Producers’ Association
Ohio AgriBusiness Association
Ohio Dairy Producers Association
Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
Ohio Pest Management Association
Ohio Pork Council
Ohio Sheep Improvement Association
Ohio Soybean Association
Oklahoma Farm Bureau
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
Oregon Farm Bureau
Oregon Feed & Grain Association
Oregon Hop Growers Association
Oregon Pork Producers Association
Oregon Seed Council
Oregon Women for Agriculture
Pacific Egg and Poultry Association
Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
Pennsylvania Sheep and Wool Growers Association
Pheasants Forever
Pillen Family Farms
Pivot Bio
Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.
Plant Based Products Council
Potato Growers of Michigan, Inc
Prairie Farms Dairy
Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania
Quail Forever
Red Angus Association of America
Renew Kansas Biofuels Association
Renewable Fuels Association
Renewable Fuels Nebraska
Rhode Island Farm Bureau Federation
Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association
Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE)
Safari Club International
Sharp and Sharp Certified Seed
SNAC International
Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association
Society of American Florists
South Carolina Corn and Soybean Association
South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation
South Carolina Sheep Industry Association
South Dakota Ethanol
South Dakota Pork Producers Council
South Dakota Sheep Growers Association
South Dakota Soybean Association
South East Dairy Farmers Association
South Texas Cotton & Grain Association
Southeast Milk, Inc.
Southeastern Food Processors Association
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
Southern Crop Production Association
Southern Seed Association
Southwest Council of Agribusiness
Southwest Meat Association
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance
Summit Seed Coatings
Sweetener Users Association
Tennessee Dairy Producers Association
Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
Tennessee Feed & Grain Assn
Tennessee Pork Producers Assn
Tennessee Sheep Producers Association
Tennessee Soybean Association
Texas Ag Industries Association
Texas Agricultural Aviation Association
Texas Association of Dairymen
Texas Cattle Feeders Association
Texas Citrus Mutual
Texas Corn Producers Association
Texas Cotton Ginners’ Association
Texas Farm Bureau
Texas FFA Association
Texas Forestry Association
Texas Grain and Feed Association
Texas Grain Sorghum Association
Texas Hemp Coalition
Texas Independent Ginners Association
Texas International Produce Association
Texas Irrigation Council
Texas Irrigation Panel
Texas Pecan Growers Association
Texas Pork Producers Association
Texas Poultry Federation
Texas Rice Council
Texas Rice Producers Legislative Group
Texas Seed Trade Association
Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association
Texas Soybean Association
Texas Vegetable Association
Texas Vegetation Management Association
Texas Watermelon Association
Texas Wheat Producers Association
The Center for Dairy Excellence
The Conservation Fund
The Meat Sheep Alliance of Florida
The Poultry Federation
The Texas Cotton Association
The Utah Wool Growers Association
Thomas Family Farms, Inc.
Thomas Livestock Co Inc
Tillamook County Creamery Association
TN Feed & Grain Association
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Beet Sugar Association
U.S. Canola Association
U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc.
U.S. Hemp Roundtable
U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association
U.S. Peanut Federation
United Dairy Farmers of Florida
United Dairymen of Arizona
United Egg Association
United Egg Producers
Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.
US Conference on Irrigation and Drainage
US Dairy Export Council
US Dry Bean Council
US Rice Producers Association
US Sweet Potato Council
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance
Virginia Farm Bureau
Virginia State Dairymen’s Association
Walnut Council
Washington Apple Commission
Washington State Dairy Federation
Washington State Fruit Commission
Washington State Potato Commission
Washington State Tree Fruit Association
Western Peanut Growers Association
Western Pulse Growers Association
Western States Dairy Producers Association
Weyerhaeuser
Wildlife Mississippi
Wisconsin Agri-Business Association
Wisconsin Farm Bureau
Wisconsin Pork Association
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association
Wisconsin Soybean Association
Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation
Wyoming Pork Producers
Wyoming Wool Growers Association

cc: Honorable John Thune
Honorable Charles E. Schumer

Contact Information

RJ Karney
Sr. Director, Public Policy
rj.karney@nasda.org

Sender:

Agricultural Coalition

Subject:

USDA Secretary Nominee Brooke Rollins