Remembering and Honoring
September 13, 2025
| Friends, Remembering and Honoring Before diving into this week’s updates, we pause to reflect on two events of deep significance. We remember September 11, 2001, a day that forever changed our nation and the world. We honor the brave men and women who responded with courage, and we remain grateful for their lasting example of heroism. We also mourn the passing of Charlie Kirk this week. He leaves behind a young family, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this time of grief and healing. MAHA Strategy Report Released This week, the long-anticipated Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Strategy Report was released, and early reactions from the agriculture industry are generally positive. The report stopped short of banning pesticides or adding major new farming regulations, but it reaffirmed the Commission’s focus on food production methods in the U.S. and aligning dietary guidelines with public health. Key Takeaways for Agriculture: Research Priorities: Greater focus on cumulative chemical exposure, precision ag technology, pesticides, water quality, conservation, and nutrition; While a pesticide ban is not imminent, the industry should remain interested in how this research will shape future regulations. Policy & Incentives: Proposed reforms to the Dietary Guidelines, SNAP purchasing rules, and possible restrictions on food dyes, additives, and child marketing. Deregulation recommendations for small farms and meat processors, plus EPA process improvements to increase farmer access to new crop protection tools; Updating the Dietary Guidelines for Americans could have ripple effects on the agricultural industry as retailers and consumers adapt to changing guidelines. Public Awareness: USDA will roll out an education campaign on updated Dietary Guidelines; and, Private-Sector Collaboration: Emphasis on soil health, conservation programs, pollinator management, grower tools, and precision agriculture for improving pesticide applications. Overall, the MAHA Strategy Report recognizes the complexity of food production while reinforcing that food security is national security. The NC Ag Partnership will continue tracking developments, and we welcome your input. Best regards, |
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| Tori Rumenik Executive Director, North Carolina Ag Partnership |