Brooke Rollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. secretary of agriculture Feb. 13 after receiving strong bipartisan support in her Senate confirmation hearing last week. 

Rollins, who graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a degree in agriculture development, was confirmed by a vote of 72-28.

“I am thrilled to lead the United States Department of Agriculture and to serve the people of this country,” said Rollins. “Every day, I will fight for American farmers, ranchers and the agriculture community. Together, we have an historic opportunity to revitalize rural America and to ensure that U.S. agriculture remains the best in the world for generations to come.”

Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson congratulated Rollins, who voiced support for several issues important to Iowa agriculture during the confirmation process, including livestock production, biofuels and the farm bill. 

“Her commitment to supporting agriculture earned bipartisan support in the Senate, and Iowa farmers look forward to working with Secretary Rollins and USDA to take on the challenges facing agriculture today while cultivating new opportunities,” Johnson said. 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said he looks forward to welcoming Rollins to Iowa soon. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on many initiatives, including farm bill programs, trade, conservation, food safety and foreign animal disease preparedness and response.

“Secretary Rollins’ commitment to returning USDA to its core mission of supporting all of agriculture is exactly the focus our country needs right now,” said Naig. “I am confident that she will be an effective advocate for farmers, ensuring that President Trump’s policies reflect their needs and support the vitality of our rural communities.”

Rollins is the second female in history to lead the USDA. Ann Veneman of California served as U.S. agriculture secretary from 2001-2005 under President George W. Bush. 

She takes the helm at the USDA at a critical time for America’s farmers and ranchers, who are facing economic headwinds and uncertainty over the rural impacts of current policy debates in Washington, said American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall.

“Ms. Rollins will need to hit the ground running to ensure the administration understands the challenges farmers and ranchers are facing,” he said. “The list is long, but we know she’s up to the challenge. We stand ready to roll up our sleeves and work with USDA, and the new administration, to ensure government policy positions farmers to manage the many risks and barriers in front of us so we can keep America’s pantries stocked.”