Washington, D.C., Feb. 22, 2025 — Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins wrapped up her first week on the job.
Secretary Rollins traveled to four states to hear directly from farmers and ranchers and to see their operations firsthand. Additionally, she hosted a roundtable for roughly a dozen Governors to discuss their collaboration in combatting Avian Flu; met with Forest Service firefighters to thank them for their service and to hear their perspective on preventing and curtailing fires; spoke at the Republican Governors Association, the Western Governors’ Association, and the National Governors Association; and convened multiple policy briefings with her team, including on trade, Avian Flu, and work with the Department of Government Efficiency to optimize USDA.
Below is a quick recap of Secretary Rollins’ activity over the past week. Watch the video recap here.
DAY ONE
On Secretary Rollins’ first full day at USDA, she:
- Addressed over 400 USDA employees, laying out her priorities for the department.
- Issued a memorandum to rescind all DEIA programs and celebrations.
- Sent a letter to governors (PDF, 88.8 KB) outlining her vision and asking for their collaboration.
- Began the process of SNAP reform by encouraging states to participate in pilot programs.
- Convened a briefing on the avian flu and egg prices.
- Dispatched a letter of gratitude (PDF, 35.7 KB) and a video message to the U.S Forest Service firefighters.
- Reviewed and implemented findings from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to optimize the USDA workforce and stop wasteful spending.
- Held a press gaggle at the White House.
- Departed Washington, D.C. for Kentucky to address more than 15,000 patriots at the National Farm Machinery Show and Tractor Pull.
DAY TWO
On day two, Secretary Rollins met with farmers in Kentucky. During this trip, she:
- Addressed 15,000 freedom-loving patriots in Louisville, Kentucky at the National Farm Machinery Show.
- Joined Fox and Friends to discuss her plan for tackling Avian Flu and lowering the price of egg prices.
- Held a fireside chat with over 100 farmers at Galrein Farms in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
DAY THREE
Secretary Rollins traveled to western Kansas, where she:
- Joined U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and U.S. Representative Tracey Mann for a tour and roundtable discussion at High Plains Ponderosa Dairy in Plains, Kansas.
- Observed operations at Finney’s County Feeder in Garden City.
- Toured the National Beef Packing Plant in Liberal, Kansas.
DAY FOUR
In Kansas City, Missouri, Secretary Rollins:
- Spoke to 600 farmers at the Top Producer Summit, where she discussed international market expansion and the state of the farm economy.
- Met with roughly a dozen top producers in America.
- Announced her intention to seek a federal solution to bar China from buying U.S. farmland.
From Kansas City, Secretary Rollins traveled back to Washington, D.C. to meet with U.S Forest Service firefighters, who helped fight the recent wildfires in California. During an hour-long discussion, she thanked them for their service and heard their perspective on how the U.S. Forest Service can better serve those serving on the frontlines while also preventing and putting out fires in record time.
DAY FIVE
Secretary Rollins traveled back to Texas to:
- Address The Texas Policy Summit.
- Celebrate Texas FFA day with state lawmakers and Ag community members.
DAY SIX
Back in Washington, D.C., Secretary Rollins:
- Discussed Avian Flu and other critical issues with farmers from seven states.
- Released the first tranche of funding after completing a review of IRA funds to ensure that these funds are serving America’s farmers and ranchers.
- Convened multiple briefings with her policy team, including a 10:00 pm meeting with the DOGE-USDA team, where they slashed additional fraud and waste.
DAY SEVEN
During multiple events in Washington, D.C., Secretary Rollins:
- Had lunch with Secretary Bobby Kennedy to discuss how they can work together to Make America Healthy Again.
- Hosted a roundtable with Governors at the White House to discuss their strategy and partnership to combat Avian Flu.
- Participated in the Governors’ Business Meeting at the White House.
- Addressed the Republican Governors Association.
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