Former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) has been offered the position of Secretary of Agriculture by President-elect Donald Trump. This information has been reported by multiple sources.
Loeffler, who previously represented Georgia in the Senate, is also co-chairing Trump’s inaugural committee, indicating her significant involvement in the new administration’s activities.
The nomination for the USDA Secretary position aligns with Trump’s focus on agricultural policies and his previous administration’s initiatives in this area.
Loeffler’s qualifications for the role USDA secretary can be assessed through her professional background, political experience, and involvement in agricultural and economic issues.
Loeffler grew up on a family farm near a small farming community of about 600 people in Illinois. The farm she grew up on is in Stanford, Illinois. The farm is situated about 8 miles west of Bloomington, Illinois. This farm has been in the Loeffler family since the early 1900s. The family cultivated soybeans and corn, and also raised cattle. This rural upbringing provided Loeffler with several formative experiences:
• Work ethic: Loeffler worked in the soybean fields, weeding and performing other farm tasks. Her parents instilled a strong work ethic by having her fill out a timecard and paying her a farm wage. She learned the value of money early on, understanding “how hard it is to earn a dollar, but also how rewarding it is to do a job well.”
• Agricultural knowledge: Loeffler was involved in farm activities, including 4-H Club membership and cattle presentation at county fairs.
• Market understanding: Her early exposure to commodity markets sparked a lifelong interest. Loeffler recalls, “When I was young my mom and my grandmother would write corn and soybeans futures prices on the Formica countertop. I always say I learned commodities futures before I learned math,” she told Fortune magazine.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: The farm background instilled a sense of pride in hard work, results, and the desire to learn and grow.
• Global perspective: Loeffler gained an appreciation for markets and free-market economies on a global scale, recognizing that “farmers are really at the middle of a market economy.”
Business experience: Loeffler is a former CEO of Bakkt, a financial services company focused on digital assets. This role provided her with significant experience in managing a large organization and understanding market dynamics, which could be beneficial in overseeing the USDA’s various programs and initiatives.
Ownership in sports: She was a co-owner of the Atlanta Dream, a WNBA team. This experience in sports management could contribute to her understanding of community engagement and economic development.
Political experience. U.S. Senate: Loeffler served as the U.S. Senator from Georgia from 2020 to 2021, where she aligned closely with the Trump administration’s policies. Her time in the Senate included involvement in legislative discussions that could intersect with agricultural policy.
Fundraising and political strategy: She has been actively involved in fundraising for Trump’s 2024 campaign and co-chairs his inauguration committee, indicating strong connections within the Republican Party and an understanding of political strategy.
Agricultural policy. Loeffler’s political stance has generally supported conservative agricultural interests. Her potential appointment comes at a time when agricultural reform is a significant focus for the incoming administration, particularly under Trump’s agenda.
Loeffler previously served on the Senate Ag Committee. She was appointed to this committee shortly after being sworn in on Jan. 6, 2020. Her involvement in the committee was noted by various officials, including former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, who acknowledged her understanding of the agricultural community, stemming from her background as part of a farming family.
During her time in the U.S. Senate, Loeffler sponsored the American Farmers, Food Banks, and Families Act of 2020 (S 3970). This legislation aimed to address food insecurity and support farmers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill proposed measures to enhance food distribution to food banks and families in need, thereby supporting both agricultural producers and those facing food shortages. The legislation sought to direct USDA to implement specific programs that would facilitate the donation of surplus agricultural products to food banks and improve access to nutritious food for families across the country. This initiative reflects her engagement with agricultural issues and her focus on addressing pressing needs within the agricultural community during a critical time. It ultimately did not progress beyond the committee stage.
Support for agricultural research funding: Loeffler participated in announcing USDA funding for agricultural research in Georgia. For example, she highlighted a $323,834 grant awarded to the University of Georgia from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to improve crop protection and pest management. This initiative focused on developing tools to combat pests like the diamondback moth, which threatens crops in Georgia.
Collaboration with other legislators: She worked alongside other congressional members, such as Rep. Sanford Bishop, to secure funding for research on pecans and peanuts, which are vital crops for Georgia’s economy. This included funding for various research projects aimed at improving agricultural practices and sustainability.
Loeffler was also the center of some controversy when she was on the Ag panel, asking to be removed from the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade after being criticized for stock trades. However, she was cleared by the Senate Ethics Committee and the Department of Justice in the matter.
Loeffler, former co-owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, had significant issues with the team she owned, which ultimately led to her selling her stake in the franchise. The conflict between Loeffler and the WNBA players began in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. When the WNBA announced that players would be allowed to wear warm-up uniforms bearing “Black Lives Matter” and other social justice slogans, Loeffler publicly opposed the decision. She wrote a statement saying, “We need less — not more — politics in sports,” which was particularly controversial given that she owned a team predominantly composed of Black women. Loeffler’s stance was met with strong disapproval from WNBA players, including those on her own team. In response to Loeffler’s actions, WNBA players united against her.
Bottom line: Overall, while Loeffler’s legislative record on agriculture may not be extensive in terms of numerous bills sponsored, her involvement in key initiatives and support for agricultural research demonstrate her engagement with agricultural issues during her time in the Senate. It will be important to know who will be announced for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, the Undersecretaries and other positions at USDA. The Deputy position at USDA is often seen as “the glue that holds things together,” because the Ag Secretary is frequently out giving speeches. Current USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack took a very hands-on role, but this may not be the case with Loeffler. Said one ag industry lobbyist: “When she was in the Senate, she met with us and always supported our requests for farmers, and she served on the Ag Committee. She got on well with her ag colleagues in the Senate.” We will have more ag sector reaction when we have time to sort them out.