United States Secretary of Agriculture facts for kids

Quick facts for kids United States Secretary of Agriculture
Flag of the secretary
Seal of the department
Incumbent Brooke Rollins since February 13, 2025
United States Department of Agriculture
Style	Ms. Secretary (informal) The Honorable (formal)
Member of	United States Cabinet
Reports to	President of the United States
Seat	Jamie L. Whitten Building, Washington, D.C.
Appointer	The President with Senate advice and consent
Term length	No fixed term
Constituting instrument	7 U.S.C. § 2202
Formation	February 15, 1889
First holder	Norman Jay Coleman
Succession	Ninth
Deputy	United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Salary	Executive Schedule, level I

The United States Secretary of Agriculture is a very important leader in the U.S. government. This person is in charge of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Think of them as the main boss for all things related to farming, food, and land in the country.

Their job is similar to what "agriculture ministers" do in other countries. They help make sure America's food supply is safe and that farmers get the support they need. They also manage many natural resources.

The USDA includes several important groups. The United States Forest Service looks after huge areas of national forests and grasslands. These areas are about 297,000 square miles (770,000 square kilometers). The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service makes sure the food you eat is safe. They check meat, poultry, and egg products. The Food Stamp Program helps families with low incomes buy food. This program works with states to provide food assistance.

The Secretary of Agriculture earns a good salary. As of January 2021, the salary was US$221,400 per year. The current Secretary is Brooke Rollins, who started on February 13, 2025.

Understanding the Secretary of Agriculture's Role

The Secretary of Agriculture is a member of the United States Cabinet. This means they are part of the President's main team of advisors. They report directly to the President of the United States. The President chooses who will be Secretary. This choice must then be approved by the United States Senate.

What Does the Department of Agriculture Do?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has many jobs. It supports farmers and ranchers. It also helps keep our food supply safe. The USDA works to protect natural resources like forests and land. It also helps make sure people have enough to eat.

• Helping Farmers: The USDA provides support and information to farmers. This helps them grow crops and raise animals.
• Food Safety: They inspect food to make sure it is safe to eat. This includes meat, poultry, and eggs.
• Forests and Land: The USDA manages national forests and grasslands. They work to protect these important natural areas.
• Nutrition Programs: They run programs that help families get healthy food. The Food Stamp Program is one example.

History of the Agriculture Department Leaders

The Department of Agriculture started in 1862. At first, its leader was called the Commissioner of Agriculture. This was not a Cabinet position back then. The first Commissioner was Isaac Newton.

In 1889, the department became more important. It was made a Cabinet-level position. This is when the title changed to Secretary of Agriculture. The first person to hold the title of Secretary of Agriculture was Norman Jay Coleman.

Who is the Current Secretary of Agriculture?

The person currently serving as the Secretary of Agriculture is Brooke Rollins. She took office on February 13, 2025. She is responsible for leading the USDA and its many important programs.

Who Takes Over if the Secretary Can't Serve?

Sometimes, a leader might not be able to do their job. There is a plan for who takes over in such cases. This is called the "line of succession." For the Secretary of Agriculture, the order usually goes like this:

• The Deputy Secretary of Agriculture is next in line.
• Then, other high-ranking officials in the department follow. These include various "Under Secretaries" and "Assistant Secretaries." They each manage different parts of the USDA.
• Even some state directors of the Farm Service Agency are in the line. Also, regional administrators of the Food and Nutrition Service are included.

This plan makes sure there is always someone ready to lead the department.

Images for kids

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  Isaac Newton, the first Commissioner of Agriculture.

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  Horace Capron, the second Commissioner of Agriculture.

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  Frederick Watts, the third Commissioner of Agriculture.

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  William Gates LeDuc, the fourth Commissioner of Agriculture.

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  George B. Loring, the fifth Commissioner of Agriculture.

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  Norman Jay Coleman, the last Commissioner and first Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Jeremiah McLain Rusk, the second Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Julius Sterling Morton, the third Secretary of Agriculture.

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  James Wilson, the fourth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  David F. Houston, the fifth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Edwin T. Meredith, the sixth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Henry Cantwell Wallace, the seventh Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Howard Mason Gore, the eighth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  William Marion Jardine, the ninth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Arthur M. Hyde, the tenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Henry A. Wallace, the eleventh Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Claude R. Wickard, the twelfth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Clinton P. Anderson, the thirteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Charles F. Brannan, the fourteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Ezra Taft Benson, the fifteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Orville L. Freeman, the sixteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Clifford M. Hardin, the seventeenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Earl Butz, the eighteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  John A. Knebel, the nineteenth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Robert Bergland, the twentieth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  John R. Block, the twenty-first Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Richard Lyng, the twenty-second Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Clayton Yeutter, the twenty-third Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Ed Madigan, the twenty-fourth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Mike Espy, the twenty-fifth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Richard Rominger, Acting Secretary.

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  Dan Glickman, the twenty-sixth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Ann Veneman, the twenty-seventh Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Mike Johanns, the twenty-eighth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Charles Conner, Acting Secretary.

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  Ed Schafer, the twenty-ninth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Tom Vilsack, the thirtieth Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Michael Scuse, Acting Secretary.

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  Mike Young, Acting Secretary.

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  Sonny Perdue, the thirty-first Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Kevin Shea, Acting Secretary.

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  Tom Vilsack, the thirty-second Secretary of Agriculture.

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  Gary Washington, Acting Secretary.

See also

In Spanish: Secretario de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos para niños