New USDA Leaders Will Impact the Future of Organic Agriculture

Over the coming months, the National Organic Coalition (NOC) and the broader organic community will focus on educating new USDA leaders about the value of organic agriculture and the need for strong organic standards.

Brooke Rollins

The confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s nominee for Agriculture Secretary, is scheduled for Thursday, January 23, at 10 a.m. ET. You can watch the hearing live here. Rollins is expected to have a smooth confirmation process, after receiving positive reviews from Republican senators and some Democrats, as well, including Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Rollins holds a degree in agricultural development and served as White House Domestic Policy Council director during Trump’s first term. Most recently, she was president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, focusing on conservative policy priorities. Organic leaders are eager to engage with Rollins to highlight the critical role organic farming plays in supporting rural economies, protecting natural resources, and ensuring farm viability.

Dudley Hoskins

President Trump has also announced Dudley Hoskins as his nominee for Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, a pivotal position for organic policy, as the National Organic Program (NOP) operates within USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

Hoskins currently serves as counsel on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. He previously spent four years at USDA during Trump's first term as the chief of staff for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and senior advisor to the Secretary. In this capacity, Hoskins was engaged in organic issues, such as the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule. This rule was finalized in 2023 and aims to address fraud in organic supply chains, including import fraud. Work on the SOE rule began under the first Trump Administration. The National Organic Coalition looks forward to working with Hoskins to address high priority issues affecting the growth of the organic sector and organic farm viability.

Christopher Purdy

On February 3, Christopher Purdy will begin a one-year rotation as Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program (NOP). During this time, Dr. Jennifer Tucker, the current Deputy Administrator for the NOP, will transition to serve as Deputy Administrator for the Specialty Crops Program.

Chris Purdy brings extensive leadership experience from both public and private sectors. Currently, he serves as Deputy Administrator for USDA’s Specialty Crops Program, where he oversees a team of 850 staff delivering critical services to the U.S. produce industry. With over 15 years of experience in the Specialty Crops Program, Chris has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing U.S. agriculture.

The National Organic Coalition looks forward to working with Chris as he leads the NOP, to strengthen organic standards and support the growth of organic agriculture.

Acknowledging Dr. Jennifer Tucker’s Leadership

NOC extends deep gratitude to Dr. Jennifer Tucker for her leadership of the USDA National Organic Program since 2011. Under her guidance, USDA finalized three major rules – these improvements to the organic standards will have a lasting positive impact on the future of organic agriculture.

As new leadership steps into their roles, NOC remains committed to advocating for robust organic standards and ensuring that the USDA continues to support the organic community’s growth and success.