U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan on March 1 announced the launch of the agency’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs during an appearance at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas. He is the first EPA administrator to attend the event.&nbsp;The newly launched office aims to expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities. According to the EPA, it will work in close coordination with the agency’s program offices and regions to forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment while ensuring a vibrant and productive agricultural system. OARA will also facilitate closer cooperation with relevant federal and state partners, such as the USDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state departments of agriculture.&nbsp;“Farmers and ranchers are crucial partners as we work together to deliver clean air, clear water, and climate solutions, all while playing the critical role of ensuring an abundant fiber, fuel and food supply,”&nbsp;Regan said. “With the launch of this new office, we are ensuring agricultural and rural stakeholders will continue to have a seat at the table for many years to come.”Specifically, the OARA will help the EPA increase coordination with a network of existing agriculture policy advisors located in all 10 EPA regional offices. It will also house EPA’s existing Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC), which provides independent policy recommendations to the agency on environmental issues important to agriculture and rural communities. In partnership with the EPA’s Office of Water, OARA will oversee a newly created FRRCC subcommittee focused on animal agriculture and water quality. In addition, OARA will work with relevant federal and state partners two collaborate with small, underserved towns and rural communities seeking federal investments in infrastructure upgrades and other community improvement projects.&nbsp;Rod Snyder will serve as director of OARA. He has served as Regan’s senior advisor for agriculture since October 2021. Prior to joining the EPA, Snyder served as a lobbyist for the National Corn Growers Association. Venus Welch-White will serve as acting deputy director of OARA.The NCGA is applauding establishment of OARA. “We are exceptionally pleased that there will be a program at EPA that is tasked with ensuring the voices and concerns of farmers are heard loud and clear,” said Harold Wolle, president of NCGA. “And the administrator could not have found a better person to lead this office than Rod Snyder. Anyone who has worked with Rod will tell you he is a smart, stellar professional who thoroughly understands the agricultural community.”“We look forward to working with Rod and his colleagues in the coming days to ensure that the regulations that EPA puts in place will not hinder the work of farmers,” Wolle added. “Crop protection is essential to farming and has had a positive environmental impact by preventing over-tilling and reducing the need for chemicals during the planting process, among many other things.”The American Farm Bureau Federation has also expressed support for the OARA. “AFBF appreciates Administrator Michael Regan for creating a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in EPA,” said Zippy Duvall, president of the AFBF. “Mr. Regan recognizes the important role farmers and ranchers play in preserving the natural resources they’ve been entrusted with.“We look forward to working with Rod Snyder as he directs the new office, and we encourage him to collaborate with families in rural America to ensure their voices are heard and they are treated as partners,” Duvall continued.&nbsp;Additional information on OARA is available on the EPA <a href="https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-agriculture-and-rural-affairs-oara">website</a>.&nbsp;

2023/07/EPALogoBigger_16893680601812_largethumb.jpg

2023/07/EPALogoBigger_16893680601812_thumb.jpg

2023/07/EPALogoBigger_16893680601812.jpg

U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan on March 1 announced the launch of the agency’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs during an appearance at the 2024 Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas. 

EPA launches Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Related Stories

California bill aims to expedite development of up to 3 SAF projects

XCF Global, Focus Impact BH3 announce closing of business combination

EPA releases proposed rule to set 2026, 2027 RFS RVOs, make significant changes to RFS program

EPA revises 2024 cellulosic RVO to 1.1 billion RINs

Chevron’s new Iowa-based tech center to drive innovation in future fuels

Upcoming Events

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2026 International Biomass Conference & Expo

EPA launches Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs .css-7jxktu{position:absolute;bottom:0px;left:0px;right:0px;height:3px;border-radius:3px;background-color:var(--chakra-colors-brandBlack);}