USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins Visits Louisiana as FSA Offices Reopen Amid Government Shutdown
Louisiana Farm Bureau News
AMITE, La. — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited a USDA Field Office in Louisiana Monday, marking her first stop at one of the 2,100 offices reopened nationwide following a presidential directive to resume operations during the ongoing government shutdown.
Rollins, who was sworn in as the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture about nine months ago, said she was determined to meet with Louisiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff and highlight the administration’s efforts to support farmers and ranchers during the shutdown.
“Just about 48 hours ago, the president directed us at USDA to reopen every one of the 2,100 FSA offices around the country,” Rollins said. “This is actually one of 2,000 offices around the country getting to sit down and meet with these wonderful people.”
During the visit, Rollins met with Louisiana FSA state and local employees, praising their service and longevity. She noted that one staff member, Dewanna Pittman, has been with the program for 34 years, while others have worked between four and ten years.
“This isn’t just a job. It isn’t just you come clock in,” Rollins said. “This is a service, and it’s a passion, and it’s a lifetime.”
Rollins said the USDA pulled funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to reopen offices and continue operations, at least temporarily.
“The funding was pulled from our CCC fund and from my perspective and my understanding we are able to continue — obviously not forever but at least for the foreseeable future,” she said. “Hopefully the Democrats stop this craziness and open the government. That’s really the goal here — let’s just get the government open.”
Rollins noted that the reopening was critical for farmers currently harvesting crops and awaiting payments. “Without the checks that they’re getting from this office behind me, they can’t make their plans and plant for next year,” she said. “It really did become a food supply issue that the president recognizes.”
The secretary said about $3 billion in payments are now being distributed, with an additional $10 billion expected to move out to farmers through existing USDA programs by year’s end. She added that an additional relief program for row crop producers impacted by trade disputes with China is being finalized but cannot be announced until the shutdown ends.
“These farmers are caught in the crosshairs of negotiations with China,” Rollins said. “China has stopped purchase ordering for soybeans and a few of our other row crops. So we will have an additional program we’re finalizing right now and waiting for the government to reopen.”
Rollins also addressed recent concerns over potential imports of Argentinian beef following comments from President Trump. She said U.S. ranchers remain the backbone of the nation’s beef supply, producing about 10 million of the 12 million metric tons consumed domestically each year.
“Argentina right now only ships in right around 20,000 metric tons,” Rollins said. “Even under the best of circumstances, they could probably not get more than 50,000 or 60,000 metric tons. Of a total supply system of 12 million, that’s little itty-bitty.”
Rollins emphasized that any imported beef typically fills lower-end supply needs, such as ground beef for fast-food chains, and should not threaten U.S. cattle producers.
“At the end of the day, any imports that may come in come in at the bottom of that chain and shouldn’t really affect our cattle ranchers as we move out,” she said.
Before departing, Rollins praised the diversity of Louisiana agriculture — from dairy and cattle to row crops and strawberries — calling the visit “a blessing.”
“My heart is going to stay here a little bit with these wonderful people,” she said. “I want to thank them most of all.”