Brooke Rollins’ confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture was a defining moment in her career and an opportunity to reflect on those who helped shape her journey.
During her Senate confirmation hearing, Rollins acknowledged the impact of the Texas FFA Association and of her former advisor, saying, “My incredible ag teacher, who I would like to have stand up — Mr. Gary Rosenbusch — put up with a lot from this FFAer. I’ve often said that the Future Farmers of America changed my life and put me on a course that leads me to today, and Mr. Rosenbusch was a big part of that.”
She also introduced her Texas FFA officer team, emphasizing the lifelong bond they shared.
“There were 10 of us, the other nine all came. Ag teachers, insurance agents, workers of the land — they’re all here. What a joy to have my state FFA officer team here.”
Rosenbusch, who taught Rollins at Glen Rose High School in Texas, not only nurtured her passion for agriculture but also helped develop the leadership skills.
He recalled his first impressions of Rollins in an interview with AGDAILY.
When she joined the FFA program at Glen Rose, “She came into the program because she loved horses. She had a horse, rode horses, and she wanted to compete on horses,” he said. “She thought, ‘Well, you know, I’ll get into ag and I can ride my horse all the time.’ But you could tell pretty quick she was one of those that had a lot of talent.”
That talent, coupled with a relentless drive, would carry Rollins from the show barn to Washington, D.C., where she now oversees the country’s most critical agricultural policies.
Rollins was not your typical FFA student. Unlike many of her peers who came from agricultural backgrounds, Rollins’ family had relocated to Texas from Minnesota. While she may not have grown up on a large ranch, she embraced every opportunity the FFA provided, excelling in leadership roles, public speaking, and livestock showing.
![Brooke Rollins Confirmation](https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bg-senator-brooke-rollins-ffa-1.jpg)
“She was always willing to jump in and take on whatever challenge was put in front of her,” Rosenbusch recalled. “I was probably as strong on the leadership side of things as anything, and I pushed my students to get involved in speaking events, running for office, and gaining experience in all aspects of agriculture. Brooke was always up for the challenge.”
Rollins didn’t just participate in FFA; she thrived in it. She won the state radio contest in Texas, showcasing her ability to communicate effectively — a skill that would later become essential in her political career.
“She was on the state-winning farm radio team,” Rosenbusch said. “Not too many states even have farm radio contests, but she excelled in it.”
In addition to her speaking abilities, Rollins was involved in livestock competitions. “She showed goats, and at our county show, we had a horse event that she participated in before it was phased out,” he said. “She did everything she could to be involved.”
![Brooke Rollins Confirmation](https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bg-senator-brooke-rollins-ffa.jpg)
Rosenbusch’s philosophy as an FFA advisor was simple: provide opportunities, push students to develop their skills, and let them take ownership of their journey.
“I always told my students, ‘I’m just the bus driver — it’s up to you to decide where you’re going,’ ” he said.
Beyond her FFA accomplishments, Rollins demonstrated a natural ability to lead. She became a state FFA officer, narrowly missing the position of state president, and later attended Texas A&M University, where she made history as the first female student body president.
“We all knew she was going to make it to D.C. in some way or another,” Rosenbusch said.
From Texas A&M, she went on to earn a law degree from the University of Texas and then work in policy, where she went from an aide for Texas Gov. Rick Perry to eventually advising President Donald Trump in his first term and leading the America First Policy Institute.
Throughout her confirmation process, Rollins’ communication skills were put to the test. She fielded pointed questions from senators, some of whom tried to trip her up during the hearings. But Rosenbusch wasn’t surprised to see her hold her own.
“A couple of the senators came back with second-round questions, trying to throw her off, but she pretty well put them in their place,” he said. “She’s a quick thinker. She knows what to say, when to say it, and what not to say.”
![Rollins-screenshot](https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Rollins-screenshot-1.jpg)
For Rosenbusch, witnessing Rollins take her seat before the Senate was a surreal experience.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be there, to be present, and to see her in that moment,” he said of attending the confirmation hearing. “And it was even more incredible to see that she had her officer team there supporting her. That just tells you everything you need to know about who she is.”
Rollins made sure to acknowledge the impact of those who had helped her along the way. She spoke with her former advisor before the hearing, taking a moment to reflect on the journey that had led her there. “She felt like we did something in her youth that mattered, and she wanted to recognize that,” Rosenbusch said. “Your heart swells when you see something like that. I was just so proud.”
For the former FFA members in the audience, Rollins’ presence at the hearing was a powerful reminder of the influence that agricultural education can have. “It wasn’t just about policy,” Rosenbusch said. “It was about seeing one of our own step up and take on one of the most important jobs in the country.”
The values Rollins developed in FFA — hard work, leadership, and a deep respect for agriculture — have remained with her throughout her career. As secretary of agriculture, she now has the opportunity to apply those lessons on a national scale.
“I always told my students to remember where they came from,” Rosenbusch said. “And she does. That’s the best part.”
Despite criticisms that she may prioritize large agricultural operations over smaller family farms, Rollins has vowed to advocate for all sectors of agriculture. In her confirmation hearings, she addressed key issues such as rural development, trade policies, and farmer support programs.
“Agriculture is surpassingly important to us as a nation,” she testified. “If I am confirmed, I commit to ensuring our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities thrive.”
Her leadership style — firm but collaborative — was shaped by her years in FFA, where she learned to navigate complex challenges and advocate for her peers.
For Rosenbusch, Rollins’ success is a source of immense pride.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see one of your students go that far,” he said. “Your heart swells. You just blow up big and feel so proud.”
![Brooke Rollins Confirmation](https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bg-senator-brooke-rollins-ffa-2.jpg)
And Rollins isn’t the only one of his former students to achieve national recognition. His own son, Corey, works in Washington, D.C., on agricultural policy at the Fertilizer Institute.
“A lot of the same senators who reached out to Brooke had already been in contact with Corey for years,” Rosenbusch said. “They knew him, but they didn’t know her yet.”
Another of his students, Dan Campbell, went on to become the head coach of the Detroit Lions. While coaching may not be agriculture, Rosenbusch sees the same drive in Campbell that he saw in Rollins.
“If you’ve ever listened to Dan’s locker room speeches, you know he’s a motivator,” he said. “Just like Brooke. They both know how to lead.”
When asked what advice he would give to current FFA members who aspire to leadership roles, Rosenbusch emphasized the importance of perseverance and authenticity.
“I tell my students, whatever you do, do it with heart,” he said. “You’ve got to write your own speeches, not let someone else do it for you. People can tell when you’re being real.”
He also stressed the importance of embracing challenges and seizing opportunities. “Doors will open, but you’ve got to be willing to step through them,” he said. “Take some chances. Work hard. And remember where you came from.”
As Rollins steps into her new role as secretary of agriculture, which she won by a large bipartisan vote from senators, she brings with her experiences shaped by her time in FFA, Texas A&M, and from policy work. With a deep understanding of rural America and a commitment to advocating for the agricultural community, she is poised to make a significant impact.
Her former FFA advisor has no doubt that she will rise to the occasion.
“She’s got the knowledge, the skills, and the drive,” Rosenbusch said. “I think she’s going to do great things.”
For Rollins, the moment she took the oath of office was not just a personal victory — it was a testament to the people and the experiences that had shaped her. And among those people were the very ones who had been with her from the start: her FFA advisor and the teammates who had stood by her side long before she ever set foot in Washington.
Heidi Crnkovic, is the Associate Editor for AGDAILY. She is a New Mexico native with deep-seated roots in the Southwest and a passion for all things agriculture.