Editorials: Kennedy v. Rollins?

President Trump is said to like watching his advisors argue. He set up an apparent natural debate when rounding out his Cabinet by nominating former White House aide Brooke Rollins for agriculture secretary. She is a conservative Texas lawyer. Rollins should find a jousting partner in Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services with jurisdiction over the Food and Drug Administration.

Kennedy’s campaign against glyphosate (brand name Roundup) and other farm chemicals, his aversion to industrial agriculture, and his condemnation of processed foods has many in production agriculture worried what he might do. They should find comfort in the nomination of Rollins, who led Trump’s America First Policy Institute after a stint in the White House during his first term.

Rollins is a native of rural Texas who belonged to FFA and studied ag at Texas A&M. She supports all things Trump, including tariffs that will impact ag export markets. You don’t get far in Texas without sympathies for the petrochemical industry that fuels agricultural input costs.

Rollins is what Kennedy is not. She is A&M, he is Harvard.

He will have sway through HHS over many things agricultural, such as glyphosate’s use in wheat. Trump has said he wants Kennedy to “go wild” on food and the health crisis they claim it creates in America.

How far they go wild remains to be seen. Rollins will be a mediating factor. When it matters, she has been with Trump longer and has not criticized him like Kennedy did. She is ever loyal. She will have more influence.

Expect conflict. Trump does. Kennedy will not be able to help himself. He will try to take on the agricultural oligopoly, and it will sound like something. In the end, we suspect the system will not change that much. Congress will be poised to trim, if not slash, nutrition and conservation spending as it finally comes to terms on a five-year farm bill. Spending will be directed at crop insurance and programs to protect producers from a trade war with China, presumably.

Meanwhile, the agriculture secretary will have to work with Kennedy on managing a burgeoning avian flu pandemic that is spreading through the dairy industry. Raw milk sold retail in California was recalled after finding it heavily infected with the avian flu virus. Kennedy is notoriously opposed to vaccination. It is necessary, now. It was necessary 10 years ago.

There are many areas for debate in food and agriculture. Kennedy and Rollins are likely to find them. Their differences will be resolved by the corporate players. If you think Kennedy is going to turn the ag supply chain inside out, you don’t understand Trump’s transactional nature and the power of money. Kennedy will entertain and titillate. Rollins will stick to business. Agribusiness, that is. Petrochemicals, seed, fertilizer and meat. It’s where the money is. Those tariffs could be costly. It will be up to Rollins to cushion the blow.

Century of generosity

We are grateful this Thanksgiving for a century of generosity by the readers of this newspaper who have supported the Mr. Goodfellow Fund. The fund, organized by the Storm Lake Times Pilot, has taken in more than $5,700 this year so far to buy coats, hats, gloves and boots for local children who need them.

“The students at Alta Elementary are always so blessed by this organization!” exclaimed school counselor Kara Nielsen.

We are blessed to work with school staff and teachers who are eager to help bring warmth to the students they know. We appeal for donations, and they do the shopping and distribution.

Checks may be written large or small. All are appreciated. Every dollar counts against the cold. Please give what you can. You may send your donations in care of Mr. Goodfellow, Storm Lake Times Pilot, PO Box 487, Storm Lake, IA 50588.

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