By Lily Hawkins, Policy Director

With a one-year Farm Bill extension in place and committee assignments complete in Congress, attention in D.C. has been focused on new leadership at USDA and Executive Orders coming from the Trump administration.

Trump Nominees Clear Key Senate Votes on the Way to Confirmation

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Agriculture was unanimously voted through the Senate Agriculture Committee. Rollins is the current president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute and served as the acting director of the United States Domestic Policy Council under President Trump. She earned a degree in agricultural development from Texas A&M University. She is predicted to sail through an upcoming confirmation vote on the Senate floor.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for Health Secretary was also advanced out of committee with a vote along party lines.

Leadership Changes at USDA

Two important leaders overseeing the National Organic Program have moved on. Jenny Lester Moffitt, former Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs has left USDA.

Dr. Jenny Tucker has also left the National Organic Program. As Deputy Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program Dr. Tucker oversaw the finalization of several important rules for organic. She has moved to a position with the USDA Specialty Crops Program.

OFA has appreciated both officials’ efforts to advance organic agriculture, and the open lines of communication they maintained with the organic community.

Dudley Hoskins has been nominated as the new Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. This is a key position for organic policy, since the NOP operates under USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. As chief of staff for AMS during Trump’s first term he engaged with the organic program, including the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule.

Christopher Purdy stepped into Dr. Tucker’s role as Deputy Administrator for NOP starting last week. His previous role was at the USDA Specialty Crops Program.

OFA looks forward to working with Hoskins and Purdy to help support organic farmers.

Executive Orders

President Trump has begun his second term in office with a slew of Executive Orders that could have impacts throughout the agriculture industry.

Tariffs

An executive order signed by President Trump has placed a 10% tariff on all imports from China, and promises duties of 25% on imports from Mexico and Canada in the coming month. OFA has heard from farmers that they are concerned about increases in the cost of machinery, feedstuffs, and energy.

Funding Freeze

In late January the Trump administration briefly paused all federal agency grants and loans. Legal challenges were immediately put forward and for now the freeze is halted. If reinstated the freeze would threaten many organic organizations and numerous programs at USDA, including organic programs. USDA officials have yet to unpause funding through the $3.1 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program, the $85 million Organic Market Development Grant program and the $100 million Transition to the Organic Partnership Program, all funded through the Commodities Credit Corporation.

If you have been impacted by these funding disruptions, please let us know. We can assist with reaching out to your members of Congress and the USDA.