Central ND News

Senator John Hoeven, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has expressed his support following the confirmation of Brooke Rollins as Secretary of Agriculture.

In his statement, Hoeven remarked, “Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead the Department of Agriculture. Secretary Rollins grew up on a ranch so she not only has the right background, but she has the ear of President Trump and will be a great advocate for our farmers and ranchers. We look forward to working with her to advance the priorities of our producers and rural America, and appreciate her commitment to come to North Dakota to see firsthand our state’s agricultural leadership.”

During Rollins' hearing before the Agriculture Committee, Senator Hoeven highlighted various initiatives aimed at bolstering U.S. agriculture. He secured commitments from Rollins on several key issues:

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

- Implementing $33.5 billion in disaster assistance for producers affected by natural disasters and market challenges, with specific funds allocated for livestock losses due to wildfires.

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

- Enhancing access to international markets for American farmers and ranchers.

- Visiting North Dakota to gain insights into precision agriculture efforts involving partnerships like Grand Farm, North Dakota State University, and the Agricultural Research Service.