Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s pick to head the Agriculture Department, faced the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, promising to stand by farmers and ranchers as they navigate the potential fallout from tariffs and immigration policies.

Rollins, a former White House official, doesn’t come from a traditional farming background, but she’s won the backing of major farm groups, including the powerful American Farm Bureau. During the hearing, she emphasized her commitment to rural communities, saying the administration understands the “devastating impact” tariffs could have on farmers.

“We’ll work to close those gaps for our farmers and ranchers, no matter what happens with tariffs in the coming years,” Rollins assured lawmakers.

When questioned about how mass deportations might affect the agricultural workforce, Rollins pledged to collaborate with Congress to tackle labor shortages. “We’ll do everything we can to ensure farms and dairy producers stay in business,” she said.

The hearing also touched on other pressing issues, like food assistance programs, disaster relief, and the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has devastated poultry and dairy operations nationwide.

Rollins’ nomination comes at a critical time for the agriculture sector, as farmers brace for potential trade wars and labor challenges. Her promises of support and advocacy could play a key role in shaping the future of rural America.