Sep 22, 2025Senate confirms USDA officials as agency mulls relief for farmers
The Senate confirmed three new USDA officials on Sept. 18, including Dudley Hoskins as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP).
Hoskins’ confirmation was applauded by both the National Potato Council (NPC) and Sen. John Boozman, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.
NPC joined more than 100 agriculture groups in sending a letter of support for Hoskins to the committee.
“We believe Hoskins’ depth and breadth of experience and knowledge in the quality, availability and fair marketing of agricultural products will make him an excellent Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs,” the letter read.
The Senate also confirmed Richard Fordyce, who will oversee the Farm Service Agency, Risk Management Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Scott Hutchins, who will serve as Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics.
“Dudley Hoskins, Dr. Scott Hutchins and Richard Fordyce bring strong agricultural experience and are well-equipped to serve farmers, ranchers and forest landowners,” Boozman said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them as they advance USDA’s mission and strengthen communities through farm country and beyond.
“I’m especially appreciative of Dudley’s guidance and counsel during his service on the Senate Agriculture Committee. He’s been a trusted member of the team since my time in committee leadership and I’m particularly proud he’s agreed to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.”
USDA mulls aid for farmers
USDA is working with Congress to determine if economic aid for U.S. farmers is needed amid tariff disputes and record-high yields, according to Reuters.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said last week that USDA officials are monitoring commodity markets.
U.S. farmers have missed out on billions in soybean sales to China amid stalled trade talks, while a recent USDA forecast of a record corn crop is causing concern for farmers already combating low prices and rising fertilizer and seed costs.
China, the world’s largest importer of soybeans, has refused to buy U.S. soybeans this year as part of its response to tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese goods in February. Of the $24 billion in U.S. soybeans exported in 2024, nearly $13 billion went to China, according to USDA statistics.
