At a critical moment for U.S. agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is addressing the annual Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, bringing national attention to the USDA's policy direction for 2025. Hosted by the Agribusiness Council of Kansas City, the forum convenes leading voices from government, agribusiness, and the policy arena. Rollins's keynote-delivered just weeks before the fiscal year ends and with major farm bill debates still unresolved-offers a glimpse into how the administration will approach the mounting challenges facing producers.

Rollins takes the stage following remarks from John Deere's Alex Sayago and will be joined by other notable figures such as USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer, Sen. Roger Marshall, and Harrison Pittman of the National Agricultural Law Center. Their presence underscores the policy gravity of this year's event, which arrives amid global trade volatility, inflationary headwinds, and institutional restructuring at the USDA.

Among the issues shaping Rollins's message is China's announcement that it will forgo its "developing economy" status at the World Trade Organization, a shift that could reshape U.S.-China trade dynamics and agricultural exports. American ag leaders have long criticized Beijing's use of that designation to access preferential trade terms. Now, with China signaling a desire for greater global leadership, U.S. policymakers may see new leverage in upcoming negotiations.

Meanwhile, Rollins inherits a department under pressure to streamline operations while maintaining service quality. The USDA has faced scrutiny over its planned reorganization of Food and Nutrition Service offices, with Senate Democrats warning that closures could disrupt oversight and delivery of nutrition programs. At the same time, over 500 FNS employees have left since January 2025, straining capacity and technical assistance to states.

In addition, ongoing concerns about the agency's rollback of equity-focused initiatives have resurfaced, particularly after USDA eliminated the "Socially Disadvantaged Farmer" designation. That move, justified by officials as no longer necessary, has prompted backlash from lawmakers and advocacy groups who argue systemic barriers remain.

On the economic front, while the Federal Reserve has begun modest rate cuts, industry voices like Nutrien Financial's John Maman caution that the farm economy won't bounce back quickly. "Land values remain high, cash rent is steady, and input costs continue to rise," Maman noted, adding that small rate reductions do little to offset long-term inflation impacts.

Amid these pressures, Rollins's leadership at USDA is under the spotlight. Stakeholders across the ag sector will be watching closely for signals on how the department will handle crop insurance, risk management, regulatory reform, and export promotion in the coming months. Her speech is not just symbolic-it's a signal to co-ops, commodity groups, and state ag departments about the administration's priorities and policy philosophy.

As the ag sector braces for what could be another volatile year, Rollins's vision for the USDA may help shape the narrative-not just in Washington, but across every farming community in the country.