When Brooke Rollins joined Breaking Battlegrounds in November 2024, she was running a Washington think tank. A few months later she was running the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one of the largest federal departments, with a budget and reach that touch every farm, ranch, and grocery store in the country.
In fall 2026, her focus is on two issues that hit families and producers directly: beef prices and farm costs. Here is who she is and what she is doing.
Quick Answer
Brooke Rollins is the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate confirmed her 72 to 28 on February 13, 2025. Before that, she led the America First Policy Institute and directed the White House Domestic Policy Council in President Trump’s first term. In 2026 her priorities include lowering beef prices, rebuilding the cattle herd, and easing costs for farmers.
Who Is the Secretary of Agriculture?
The Secretary of Agriculture leads USDA. The department oversees farm programs, crop insurance, food safety inspection for meat and poultry, nutrition programs such as SNAP, the U.S. Forest Service, and rural development. The position has been part of the Cabinet since 1889.
Brooke Rollins has held the job since February 13, 2025.
Brooke Rollins' Background
Rollins grew up in Glen Rose, Texas, and was active in 4-H and FFA growing up. She graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development and was the first woman elected student body president there. She earned her law degree with honors from the University of Texas School of Law.
| Period | Role |
|---|---|
| Early 2000s | Policy Director for Texas Governor Rick Perry |
| 15 years | President and CEO, Texas Public Policy Foundation |
| 2018 to 2021 | White House: Office of American Innovation, then Domestic Policy Council Director |
| 2021 to 2025 | Founding President and CEO, America First Policy Institute |
| February 13, 2025 | Confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, 72 to 28 |
Brooke Rollins' Husband and Family
Rollins is married to Mark Rollins. The couple has four children and lives in Fort Worth, Texas. She has described much of their free time as spent driving the children to baseball games, cattle shows, piano lessons, and Aggie football games.
Brooke Rollins and Beef Prices
High beef prices have become one of the most visible pocketbook issues of 2026, and Rollins has made them a top priority. The challenge is balancing consumers who want lower prices against cattle and dairy producers worried that more imports will hurt them.
Her announced steps include:
- Ranchers First initiatives, announced August 31, 2026, aimed at rebuilding the U.S. beef herd and increasing heifer retention.
- The Stand Up Program, announced September 16, 2026, providing up to $50 million to help states join or expand federal-state meat inspection programs. That is meant to strengthen small and mid-sized processors.
- Procurement changes to prioritize American beef in purchases for institutions like hospitals and the military.
- Grazing access expansions and steps to address predator losses for Western ranchers.
Help for Farmers on Costs
On September 30, 2026, during a visit to Wisconsin, Rollins said the administration expected to announce diesel cost relief for farmers soon. She encouraged state lawmakers to consider their own relief, pointing to steps taken by Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Louisiana.
Other recent USDA actions under Rollins include:
- A USDA Data Modernization Plan announced September 1, 2026, at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, to reduce reporting burdens on producers.
- Up to 60 extra days for farmers to pay certain crop insurance premiums, announced in August 2026 at Minnesota Farmfest.
- Dairy Margin Coverage enrollment and dairy innovation funding announced at the World Dairy Expo.
Related Breaking Battlegrounds Discussion
Rollins joined Chuck Warren and Sam Stone on Podcast 215, recorded November 2, 2024, three days before the presidential election. According to the episode summary, she spoke as president of the America First Policy Institute about China’s threat to U.S. national security. She also defended the role of women in leadership in the first Trump administration and responded to comments from businessman Mark Cuban.
The same episode included Dan McLaughlin of National Review on the Senate and House map, and former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould on Arizona’s Proposition 140. For more on China, listen to Paul Boardman on decoupling from China.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Secretary of Agriculture?
Brooke Rollins is the current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Senate confirmed her 72 to 28 on February 13, 2025. She is the 33rd person to hold the office and previously led the America First Policy Institute.
Who is Brooke Rollins' husband?
Brooke Rollins is married to Mark Rollins. The couple has four children and lives in Fort Worth, Texas.
What is Brooke Rollins doing about beef prices?
As Secretary of Agriculture, Rollins has launched initiatives to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd, expand grazing, and fund state meat inspection programs through the Stand Up Program. She is also changing procurement rules to prioritize American beef. She has said USDA is trying to lower prices without harming cattle and dairy producers.
What did Brooke Rollins do before USDA?
Rollins was policy director for Texas Governor Rick Perry, ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation for 15 years, and directed the White House Domestic Policy Council in President Trump’s first term. She then founded and led the America First Policy Institute until her 2025 confirmation.
Conclusion
Brooke Rollins brought a policy background, not a farming career, to USDA. But her Texas agricultural roots and Texas A&M degree have shaped her focus on ranchers, producers, and rural America. Her success will likely be judged on whether families see beef prices come down and whether farmers feel relief on costs.
Those are concrete tests. Voters will feel the results at the grocery store and the fuel pump, which is why agriculture policy is playing a larger role in the 2026 midterm conversation than usual.
Related Reads
Sources
- S. Department of Agriculture press releases, August and September 2026: https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases
- USDA, “Secretary Rollins Unveils Plan to Modernize Agricultural Data Collection and Put Farmers First,” September 1, 2026
- Lancaster Farming, “Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins Promises Action on Beef,” September 17, 2026
- WTMJ, “Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins addresses rising diesel, beef prices during Wisconsin visit,” October 1, 2026
- S. Senate confirmation record for Brooke Rollins, February 13, 2025
- Breaking Battlegrounds, Podcast 215 episode page, recorded November 2, 2024
Editorial Note: This article is intended for informational and analytical purposes. Political developments, policies, polling, and public statements can change over time. Readers should consult primary sources and official government information for the latest details.
