Well, folks, it looks like Thomas Massie got passed over for Secretary of Agriculture. Over the weekend, President-elect Trump announced Brooke Rollins as the nominee instead. I’ll admit, at first, I was disappointed. I had high hopes for Massie—his independent streak and libertarian views align so closely with what I value in agriculture and beyond. He’s a no-nonsense guy who would have shaken things up in all the right ways. But the more I looked into Rollins, the more I realized this might not be a bad decision. Tentatively, I’m okay with it… for now.
Here’s why: Rollins didn’t just stumble into this position. She grew up on a family farm, participated in FFA (Future Farmers of America) as a state officer, and was actively involved in 4-H. She’s not some suit who’s never stepped foot on a farm. She knows what it’s like to be in the trenches, to get dirt under her nails. On top of that, she’s raised four kids who’ve been hands-on with show cattle, which tells me she understands the kind of hard work and dedication it takes to build something real, something meaningful.
And then there’s her work on the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform bill signed into law in 2018. That’s a big deal. It shows she’s not afraid to push for change in areas that desperately need it. That kind of drive could be exactly what’s needed to take on Big Ag and Big Food, though time will tell if she has the backbone to follow through.
But here’s where I pause. Rollins strikes me as someone who might play it safe, and while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, I worry about how much “safe” is going to get done in a system that’s already so broken. We don’t need a caretaker—we need a disruptor. We need someone who’s willing to go to bat against the mega-corporations that have monopolized agriculture and turned food into a commodity instead of the cornerstone of our health and well-being.
That’s why I was so drawn to Massie in the first place. He’s bold, independent, and willing to call out the nonsense. As someone who identifies as libertarian and prides myself on being a little strong-willed (okay, a lot strong-willed), I get it. I appreciate someone who doesn’t just go along to get along. But I also know there’s value in a quieter approach if—and this is a big if—it actually gets things done for the right reasons.
So where does that leave us? Watching and waiting. I’m willing to give Rollins a shot. Her background gives me hope, and her track record shows she’s capable of rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. But I’ll be keeping a close eye on how she handles this role if she’s solidified in it. Will she push for policies that empower small farms and sustainable practices, or will she bow to the pressure of Big Ag and maintain the status quo? That’s the question.
What do you think? Does Rollins’ background give you hope, or were you rooting for Massie too? Let’s pull up a chair and talk about it—because at the end of the day, who’s leading agriculture in this country directly impacts what’s on all of our tables.
Until next time,
Traci
Hungry for More?
If you’ve been enjoying our Farm Table Talk articles, why not bring a little farm-to-table magic into your own kitchen? Check out our digital cookbook—packed with simple, seasonal recipes straight from our farm to yours. Whether you’re looking for hearty meals, quick snacks, or creative ways to use fresh, local ingredients, we’ve got you covered. Plus, every purchase supports our mission to nurture the land, care for our animals, and keep sharing the real stories behind farm life.
