A coalition of 122 food and ag industry groups and businesses signed a letter in support of the nomination of Luke Lindberg to be the next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture. The letter to Senate Agriculture leadership requests the expeditious confirmation of Lindberg and outlines his robust qualifications and experience to succeed in the position.
Please contact Tony Rice ([email protected]) if you have any questions.
March 7, 2025
The Honorable John Boozman
Chair, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
Ranking Member, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar:
We write you today in support of Luke Lindberg’s nomination to be the next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture.
We look forward to Mr. Lindberg’s leadership and strong advocacy on behalf of the farmers, ranchers, growers, hunters, forest owners, conservationists, cooperatives, state departments of agriculture, renewable fuel producers and agribusinesses that we represent nationwide. Mr. Lindberg has a wealth of experience in this area, having served in multiple key capacities vital to trade and agriculture.
As President and CEO of South Dakota Trade, Mr. Lindberg collaborates with local and regional agriculture groups to help South Dakota producers and agricultural partners navigate the global trade landscape. He also serves on the board of directors of the National Association of District Export Councils and holds an advisory role with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. Prior to that, as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States he managed day-to-day operations, and advanced strategic initiatives such as the program on “China and Transformational Exports” and opening new markets for American Liquified Natural Gas.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lindberg has been a proponent of using trade to strengthen U.S. agriculture. His enthusiasm in addressing the record agriculture trade deficit we are currently facing will be welcomed by farmers and exporters across the country.
In addition to his experience leading issues related to agriculture, trade, and economics, Mr. Lindberg has a close working relationship with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins through their time at the America First Policy Institute, and by extension with President Trump. This trust and comfort will ensure that agricultural trade is prioritized as USDA and the White House continue to craft their policy agendas.
Given the many challenges facing America’s farmers and rural communities, it is critical that Congress act on Mr. Lindberg’s nomination in a timely manner. U.S. agriculture needs a dedicated champion in this role to support farmers and exporters as we continue to nourish the world with the most secure, affordable and nutritious food on the globe.
As such, we urge your Committee and the entire U.S. Senate to promptly confirm Mr. Lindberg as USDA’s next Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Thank you for your consideration, and for your dedication to serving America’s agricultural community.
Sincerely,
Actus Nutrition
Advanced Sunflower LLC
Agropur inc.
Almond Alliance
American Cotton Shippers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Sheep Industry Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
AmericanHort
Animal Health Institute
Associated Milk Producers Inc.
Blue Diamond Growers
California Citrus Mutual
California Dairies, Inc.
California Date Commission
California Fresh Fruit Association
California Prune Board
Cayuga Milk Ingredients
The Center for Dairy Excellence
CHS Inc.
CoBank
Corn Refiners Association
Cotton Warehouse Association of America
Crop Insurance Professionals Association
CropLife America
Dairy Farmers of America
Darigold
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Economic Development Processionals Association
Farm Credit Council
FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative
Fernjo Farms
FMI – The Food Industry Association
Food Export-Midwest
Food Export-Northeast
Forest Landowners Association
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Gevo, Inc.
Global Cold Chain Alliance
Grassland Dairy Products, INC.
Growth Energy
Hadrick Ranch
Hilmar Cheese Company
HP Hood LLC
Idaho Dairymen’s Association, Inc.
Idaho Milk Products
Illinois Milk Producers Association
Independent Bakers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
Kansas Dairy Association
Kansas Livestock Association
Kansas Sorghum Producers
Land O’Lakes, Inc.
Leprino Foods Company
Meat Import Council of America
Meat Institute
Michigan Milk Producers Association
Midwest Dry Bean Coalition
Milk Producers Council
National Alliance of Forest Owners
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Chicken Council
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grain and Feed Association
National Industrial Hemp Council
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pecan Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Turkey Federation
Nebraska State Dairy Association
North American Blueberry Council
North American Grain Export Association
North American Millers’ Association
North American Renderers Association
Northeast Dairy Producers Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Ohio Dairy Producers Association
Oregon Dairy Farmers Association
Organic Produce Association
Pet Food Institute
POET, LLC
Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania
Renewable Fuels Association
Sartori Cheese
Schuman Cheese
SNAC International
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association
South Dakota Dairy Producers
South Dakota Soybean Associatiion
South Dakota Soybean Processors
South East Dairy Farmers Association
Southeast Milk, Inc.
Southwest Council of Agribusiness
Sweetener Users Association
T.C. Jacoby & Co., Inc.
Tropical Foods LLC
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Beet Sugar Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains Council
U.S. Livestock Genetics Export
U.S. Meat Export Federation
U.S. Peanut Federation
U.S. Wheat Associates
United Dairymen of Arizona
University of South Dakota, Beacom School of Business
US Dry Bean Council
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council
USA Rice
Virginia State Dairymen’s Association
Washington State Dairy Federation
Western Iowa Dairy Alliance
Western Peanut Growers Association
cc:
Honorable John Thune
Honorable Charles E. Schumer