Vasquez Secures Key Commitments from Ag Secretary Rollins on Rural New Mexico Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On June 11, 2025, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) secured key commitments from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to address urgent issues affecting rural New Mexico - including frozen food security funding, wildfire readiness, and broken federal contracts. She also committed to visiting New Mexico and meeting with Rep. Vasquez's Agriculture Advisory Group.

WATCH: REP. VASQUEZ SECURES COMMITMENTS FROM SECRETARY ROLLINS IN HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

"I represent one of the largest and most rural districts in the country - a district that elected both me and President Trump," said Vasquez. "Farmers, ranchers, food banks, and wildfire crews in my district rely on a functioning USDA - not just for support, but for survival."

Vasquez raised the abrupt funding freeze to Frontier Food Hub in Silver City, which serves as the only food pantry for hundreds of miles and the only organization supporting small-scale rural producers in the region. Secretary Rollins committed to reviewing the matter and working with Vasquez on food insecurity issues.

On wildfire preparedness, Vasquez described how essential USDA trail crews responsible for cutting fire lines and maintaining forest access have been laid off ahead of peak fire season in New Mexico. He secured a commitment from Secretary Rollins to assess staffing cuts and their impact on New Mexico's wildfire response capabilities.

Vasquez also called on USDA to honor existing agreements with producers and nonprofits and urged support for his Honor Farmers Contracts Act, which would ensure the agency follows through on executed contracts.

Secretary Rollins accepted Vasquez's invitation to visit New Mexico's 2nd District to hear directly from his Agriculture Advisory Group, which consists of producers, hunger advocates, local business owners, and land conservationists throughout NM-02.

###