Vice President Kamala Harris’s selection of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz adds significant agricultural policy credentials to this year’s Democratic Presidential ticket. While a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Walz represented a heavily agricultural district and served on the Agriculture Committee, voting in favor of the 2008 and 2014 farm bills. As governor, he oversees a state ranking fifth in total agricultural production, with both crop and livestock values ranking in the top seven.

From 2007 to 2019, Walz represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional district, spanning the width of the southern portion of the state, including the entire border with Iowa. The district is now represented by Republican Brad Finstad, who also serves on the Agriculture Committee. Farming is central to the district, which ranks ninth out of 435 districts nationwide for the value of agricultural products sold. Production is almost evenly split between crops and livestock. The 1st district is ninth in crop value and 12th in livestock value, including a second-place ranking for hogs and pigs.

Walz grew up in rural Nebraska and claims an affinity for farming and rural life. While Walz’s daughter Hope is a vegetarian, he received appreciation from farmers for joking that she could order turkey rather than a corn dog at the Minnesota State Fair. When Hope responded that turkey is also meat, he replied, “Not in Minnesota. Turkey’s special!”

As election day approaches, Walz will face difficult questions about how he plans to reconcile his more ag-friendly perspective with that of Harris. As a prosecutor and Attorney General in California, she took many positions perceived as opposed to traditional agriculture. Since launching her campaign, Harris has not yet taken vocal stands on agricultural issues.

Bill introduced to restrain Biden administration’s environmental justice initiatives

Two Congressional leaders have introduced legislation to prohibit federal agencies from implementing “environmental justice” standards unless expressly directed by Congress. The Reducing Environmental Gamesmanship Act is authored by Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) and Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.). The bill would also nullify two environmental justice executive orders signed by President Biden.

According to Newhouse and Lummis, the Biden administration has acted unilaterally to impose its political agenda on federal programs, requiring 40% of the funding from certain federal programs to go to “disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.” They feel these decisions are solely in Congress’s power and were made without legal authority.

“‘Environmental justice’ is another ploy by extreme activists to block traditional energy and infrastructure projects and force a green transition,” said Newhouse. “The reality is that if this agenda is put in place, the very low-income communities the left is claiming to help would be overburdened by higher energy costs. I’m proud to partner with Senator Lummis to overturn the Biden Administration’s environmental justice executive orders to help underserved communities and reclaim Congress’ legislative authority post-Chevron doctrine.”

In June, the Supreme Court struck down the longstanding Chevron doctrine, which required courts to defer to executive-branch agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous statutes. In the wake of this decision, members of Congress have unleashed a wave of legislation and demands to executive agencies seeking to reclaim Congressional power.

Trade program sees large funding boost

A USDA program designed to increase international trade is releasing $300 million in its latest round of grants. The Regional Agricultural Promotion Program was established in October 2023 to help grow export markets for American agricultural products abroad. RAPP was created in response to a request from House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders who recognized the need for more funding to encourage market development.

“Access to international markets supports U.S. farmers at home and food security throughout the world,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “USDA launched RAPP last year as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to create more, new and better markets for U.S. producers and agribusinesses, and we’ve seen tremendous interest, culminating in more than a billion dollars in proposals for the first $300 million round of RAPP funding earlier this year. Given the importance of exports in supporting farm income and rural economic development, we’re delighted to be able to make an additional $300 million available this year.”

RAPP plans to expend a total of $1.2 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to help diversify exports into new and emerging markets. The first $300 million tranche, released in May, was divided among 66 organizations with the ability to implement market development projects. Applications for the new round of funding must be submitted by Oct. 4, and awards will be announced by the end of 2024. As with the first round, $25 million will be dedicated to development of emerging African markets.