Watching and Waiting
August 16, 2025
| Friends, In my first few weeks on the job, I’ve been following a steady stream of agriculture news. I call this week “watching and waiting”. Here’s what’s on our radar: 🔍 Watching: North Carolina Farm Act NC legislators continue to discuss the 2025 Farm Act. Our industry’s key supporters remain firm on including pesticide liability limitations in the bill—a stance NC Ag Partnership fully supports. However, the U.S. Supreme Court’s potential review of Monsanto v. Durnell could make state-level action unnecessary. If the Court rules that “failure to warn” lawsuits are preempted by federal law (FIFRA), the Farm Act language on pesticide liability wouldn’t be needed. We’re watching closely for news on when the Supreme Court case might be taken up, probably early next year. ⏳ Waiting: Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy Report By executive order, the MAHA Commission’s strategy report was delivered to the White House on August 12, but its public release was delayed. The first report in May sparked industry concern over its scrutiny of crop protection chemicals, among other things. This second report is expected to outline policy recommendations and a path forward—potentially impacting NC farmers and agribusinesses. We will have a comprehensive review of the strategy once we see the report, and are ready to push for common-sense, science-based solutions. 📅 Coming Up: WOTUS, Tariffs, Labor Even as we focus on these pressing issues, we’re tracking other developments that could affect our state’s agriculture. Stay tuned. Best regards, |
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| Tori Rumenik Executive Director, North Carolina Ag Partnership |