Iowa leaders optimistic about Trump and ag secretary

Many of Iowa's top elected officials believe President Donald Trump and his choice for U.S. agriculture secretary will be a boon for the state's farmers and biofuels production when he takes office again next year.

Trump has selected Brooke Rollins, of Texas, to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She is an attorney who was Trump's domestic policy chief during his first term in office and has led two conservative think tanks.

In a statement announcing his pick, Trump noted Rollins' family farming background and her college degree in agriculture development from Texas A&M University.

Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

"I trust my Senate colleagues, including Senators (Chuck) Grassley and (Joni) Ernst, to thoroughly vet Rollins and ensure she will support Iowa ag and biofuels," U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, told The Gazette. "I believe biofuels are key to our national energy strategy, and I look forward to working with Brooke very closely to advocate for Iowa farmers, biofuels and rural America."

Ethanol policies are especially key for Iowa, which is the leading ethanol-producing state. The industry also is an important market for farmers — more than half the state's corn is used to make the fuel.

Trump has said he would seek to expand the nationwide use of E15 — a gasoline blend that is about 15 percent ethanol.

Mike Naig, the state's agriculture secretary, called Trump a "consistent champion for Iowa agriculture" in a lengthy social media post on X. He said Trump has sought better trade deals and new markets and supported biofuels production, voluntary conservation efforts and favorable tax policies.

"I have every reason to believe that a USDA led by Secretary Brooke Rollins would build upon the President's previous record of wins for agriculture while also fulfilling his new commitments to rural America," Naig said.

President @realDonaldTrump has always been a champion for #IowaAg so I have confidence that @BrookeLRollins will be as well. We look forward to welcoming her to Iowa and working with the new administration to support American farmers! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/1PpaogDbvC pic.twitter.com/ObHRWzAblX

— Mike Naig (@MikeNaigIA) November 23, 2024

Trump's trade war with China — now the largest importer of soybeans in the world — led to tariffs on U.S. soybeans and other ag exports that were temporarily ruinous to farmers. His administration spent $28 billion to compensate them for the losses.

Those soybean exports to China have since rebounded, but Brazil has firmly supplanted the United States as China's main soybean provider, according to USDA data.

Trump has pledged new tariffs and mass deportations of immigrant workers who are in the United States illegally. He has said the potential long-term benefits of those efforts — more-favorable trade deals and higher paying jobs for legal residents — will outweigh the temporary upheavals they might cause.

"Sec. Rollins is a trusted advisor to President Trump and played a key role in the first term of his presidency," Gov. Kim Reynolds told The Gazette. "The president and his team are committed to supporting our nation's farmers, and we look forward to working with Sec. Rollins, including with respect to ethanol, on behalf of Iowa farmers and ranchers."

Trump has said he wants to unleash the country's "energy dominance" by increasing domestic oil and natural gas production, and Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, said biofuels should be an integral part of that strategy.

"We could talk about (Renewable Fuel Standard) exemptions or trade or USDA funding, but the bottom line is that biofuels can and should play a big role in U.S. energy policy, and by doing so, it will boost sagging farm income and restore rural prosperity," Shaw said.

Sen. Grassley wrote on X that Rollins has "a lot of policy experience" and that he is eager to learn more about her ag policy positions that will be discussed during her confirmation process.

He and Sen. Ernst are members of the Senate's agriculture committee.

"I look forward to working alongside her and President Trump to fight for Iowa farmers and stand up for rural America," Ernst told The Gazette.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra said he and other "Republicans will work with President Trump and Secretary Rollins to strengthen American agriculture and our rural communities." That includes boosting biofuels, finding new export markets and assistance for young farmers.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks called Rollins a "great intelligent woman" whom she is excited to meet, in a post on X.

"We will be ready to hit the ground running!" she wrote.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn declined to comment for this article. Trump and all of Iowa's federal delegates are Republicans, along with Reynolds and Naig.

Comments: (319) 368-8541; jared.strong@thegazette.com