Farmers and ranchers play a critical role in our nation’s economy, food security, and national security. They are the backbone of our country. As we know all too well, these individuals face many challenges, whether they be natural disasters, market disruptions, or excessive regulation originating from bureaucracies that know little of the challenges of production agriculture.
Making a real, lasting impact on this country as a Cabinet secretary requires a diverse skillset, but one key attribute that any leader of the wide-ranging and multi-faceted U.S. Department of Agriculture will need is the ability to cut through the noise and reduce such burdens.
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Luckily for American farmers and ranchers, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of agriculture, Brooke Rollins, knows exactly how to do that. She listens, she analyzes, she decides, and she acts.
There are several specific skills that contribute to one’s success in this position: policy expertise, experience in government, and surrounding oneself with the best team possible. There is no denying the importance of each of these qualities. However, during my own tenure not only as U.S. secretary of agriculture, but also as governor of Georgia, I found that the true key to success was in galvanizing teams and cultivating relationships.
Rollins is no stranger to these qualities. Her leadership experience speaks for itself. During her 15 years as president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, she turned the small organization around from a run-of-the-mill producer of white papers into a massive, thriving policy machine that has since become the model for state policy think tanks nationwide.
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Rollins also served as director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, developing a rare level of proficiency at navigating the policy-making process. By developing and implementing policies under Trump in his first term, Rollins quickly familiarized herself with the relationship-building and maintenance that must take place in order to get key priorities across the finish line. And in her founding of the America First Policy Institute, Brooke built and led a team of 220 patriots comprised of nine former cabinet-level officials and over 50 former senior White House staff.
Over the past four years, as president and CEO of AFPI, Rollins has worked tirelessly, advocating for policies that put the American people first. She understands the significance of being a voice for all Americans, of American productivity, and of American exceptionalism.
Rollins will bring that same strength of leadership and advocacy to the Department of Agriculture. She will be a fighter for America’s farmers and ranchers. She will push for policies that put American agriculture first and will work on behalf of Trump, who has immense respect and affection for America’s farmers and ranchers.
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Advocating for American-grown food, facilitating prosperity in our rural communities, and navigating the regulatory burdens imposed by government is no small task. It takes a strong leader, capable of deft collaboration and bridge-building. And there is no doubt that Rollins has the connections, the tools, and the good ol’ fashioned know-how she needs to be that strong leader and to succeed in the fight for America’s farmers as our next secretary of agriculture.
As the 31st secretary of agriculture, my mission was always to ensure the success of our nation’s farmers and ranchers. I am confident that Rollins will carry forward this commitment, upholding the goal to “do right and feed everyone.”
Sonny Perdue was U.S. secretary of agriculture during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term. Perdue was also the 81st governor of Georgia from 2003 to 2011.