Rollins Picked to Lead USDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - President-elect Trump announced that he would nominate Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture today. Rollins is the CEO of the America First Policy Institute.

Following is a statement from Rebecca Riley, Managing Director for Food and Agriculture at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"The Department of Agriculture plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our food supply, addressing food insecurity, managing our forests, as well as supporting America's farmers and rural communities who are on the frontlines of the climate crisis.

"Rollins needs to invest in America's farmers - from small family farms to larger-scale operations - and to work toward a resilient and equitable food system that puts healthy food on the table, restores our soil, protects the climate, and safeguards the health of our communities. Project 2025 targets multiple essential USDA programs, but now is not the time to undermine climate-smart farming practices, favor industrial agriculture at the expense of small producers and consumers, or gut the nutrition programs that many Americans rely on."

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).