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EPA announces Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs

The head of EPA says an office within his agency is being created to help solidify relationships with the ag sector.

Speaking to attendees of Commodity Classic in Houston, Texas Friday morning, Administrator Michael Regan said for the first time ever, EPA is establishing an Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

“To expand engagement opportunities beyond any that we’ve done so far, and to ensure that your voices are heard and your ideas are understood.”

The office will be led by Rod Snyder, who has served as EPA senior advisor for agriculture since late 2021.

Indiana farmer Mike Koehne was in attendance during the announcement and tells Brownfield Administrator Regan’s plan sounds good.

“But until it’s implemented, we just don’t have any certainty. They can talk about things all they want.”

Regan says the new office will expand on the work of the Ag Advisor and increase coordination with a network of existing ag policy advisors located in all ten EPA regional offices across the country.