Peace Garden News

Senator John Hoeven announced that Brooke Rollins, nominated by former President Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of Agriculture, has been unanimously approved by the Senate Agriculture Committee. The nomination will now proceed to the full Senate for consideration.

"Brooke Rollins is an excellent choice to lead the Department of Agriculture. She received unanimous support from the Senate Agriculture Committee, and now the next stop is the Senate floor," stated Hoeven. He highlighted her background on a ranch and her dedication to supporting agricultural producers as key qualifications for her role. "With her background growing up on a ranch and her commitment to support our producers, Brooke will be a great partner on behalf of our farmers and ranchers."

During Rollins' hearing with the committee, Senator Hoeven discussed various initiatives aimed at bolstering U.S. agriculture. He secured commitments from Rollins on several fronts:

- Passing a robust farm bill that invests in farm safety nets and other priorities for producers.

- Implementing $33.5 billion in disaster assistance swiftly, which was secured in year-end funding legislation to address losses from natural disasters and market challenges, including specific funds for livestock losses due to wildfires.

- Ensuring agricultural producers have access to U.S. Forest Service lands in North Dakota for activities such as grazing on national grasslands.

- Enhancing access to international markets for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

- Visiting North Dakota to gain insights into precision agriculture efforts, particularly through collaborations between Grand Farm, North Dakota State University, and the Agricultural Research Service.