Brooke Rollins Swears In Dr. Ben Carson and Richard Fordyce to USDA Leadership Roles
This past week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced two key leadership appointments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These appointments are expected to significantly influence policy and operations related to nutrition, health, housing, and farm production.
Dr. Ben Carson Named National Advisor for Nutrition, Health and Housing
Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was sworn in as National Advisor for Nutrition, Health and Housing. In this new role, Dr. Carson will advise both Secretary Rollins and President Trump on critical policies surrounding nutrition, rural health care quality, and housing accessibility.
Secretary Rollins stated:
“There is no one more qualified than Dr. Carson to advise on policies that improve Americans’ everyday quality of life, from nutrition to healthcare quality to ensuring families have access to safe and stable housing. With six in ten Americans living with at least one chronic disease, and rural communities facing unique challenges with respect to adequate housing, Dr. Carson’s insight and experience is critical. Dr. Carson will be crucial to implementing the rural health investment provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill and advise on America First polices related to nutrition, health, and housing. As the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the first Trump Administration, Dr. Carson worked to expand opportunity and strengthen communities, and we are honored to welcome him to the second Trump Administration to help lead our efforts here at USDA to Make America Healthy Again and ensure rural America continues to prosper.”
Richard Fordyce Appointed USDA Undersecretary
In addition, Richard Fordyce was sworn in as USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Fordyce will oversee key agencies including the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA).
Fordyce brings deep agricultural experience, having served as Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Director of Missouri’s Department of Agriculture, and Chair of the Missouri State Soil and Water Districts Commission.
These appointments mark a renewed focus on advancing rural America and delivering on key America First agricultural and health policy initiatives.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.