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Secretary Rollins Wraps a Packed First Week on the Job
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*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 [ https://x.com/USDA/status/1893421138774028404?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ].
*DAY ONE*
On Secretary Rollins’ first full day at USDA, she: • Addressed over 400 USDA employees, laying out her priorities for the department.
On Secretary Rollins’ first full day at USDA [ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/14/secretary-rollins-takes-bold-action-day-one?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], she:
* Addressed over 400 USDA employees [ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/14/secretary-rollins-delivers-opening-remarks-usda-headquarters?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], laying out her priorities for the department.
* Issued a memorandum [ https://www.usda.gov/directives/sm-1078-001?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] to rescind all DEIA programs and celebrations.
* Sent a letter to governors [ https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/message-state-local-tribal-territories.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 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 [ https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/firefighters-letter.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] and a video message [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&v=LScMj3UlbbM ] 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
On day two, Secretary Rollins met with farmers [ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/15/secretary-rollins-engages-kentucky-farmers-first-official-trip?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 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
Secretary Rollins traveled [ https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/02/18/secretary-rollins-highlights-policy-priorities-kansas-agriculture-roundtable-and-top-producer-summit?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 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 *
Secretary Rollins in Kansas City, Missouri
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.
