USDA Secretary Highlights Support for Wisconsin Agriculture Amidst Legislative Discussions
Amidst ongoing discussions about agricultural policies, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently emphasized the federal government’s support for Wisconsin farmers. Her visit to a local dairy farm was aimed at highlighting recent legislative efforts and trade deals beneficial to the state’s agricultural sector.
During her visit, Rollins participated in a private roundtable with various stakeholders, including dairy and cranberry farmers. This meeting was part of a broader effort to promote the Trump administration’s initiatives related to farming issues. Rollins underscored President Donald Trump’s advocacy for whole milk, referencing his move to reinstate whole milk in the National School Lunch Program.
Trade agreements crafted by the administration were also a focal point of Rollins’ discussions. She suggested that these deals could enhance export possibilities for U.S. farm products. However, she did acknowledge the adverse effects retaliatory tariffs have had, particularly on Wisconsin’s cranberry producers.
Rollins expressed strong support for the farm bill set to be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives soon. This legislation includes updates to major programs like crop insurance, which were revised in last year’s reconciliation bill. “What this current farm bill represents is the addition: what we need to do to strengthen crop insurance, what we need to do to make sure we have the right labor rules on the ground so that our farmers can actually have labor that can work year round, things like that,” Rollins stated.
She emphasized the importance of keeping the farm bill a priority, noting that congressional leaders have remained “resolute and relentless” in their efforts. Historically updated every five years, the farm bill has seen delays, with Congress unable to pass a new package in both 2023 and 2024.
Alongside Rollins was U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, who expressed confidence that the farm bill would pass in the House. He also addressed the ongoing efforts to maintain year-round sales of E-15 fuel, currently permitted through EPA waivers. “We’ve been working on a piece to make sure that is solidified,” Van Orden remarked, emphasizing the desire to provide stability for farmers.
The USDA has seen substantial transformations during the Trump administration, including significant workforce reductions and the relocation of numerous jobs outside of Washington, D.C. Rollins praised these changes, stating they align with the president’s broader vision to distribute federal positions more evenly across the nation.
