By Scout Nelson
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its policy recommendations on addressing chronic childhood disease, a move welcomed by the Kansas Corn Growers Association (KCGA).
The organization praised the commission’s science-based approach and its decision not to seek additional restrictions on atrazine and glyphosate, two vital crop protection tools widely relied upon by farmers.
Earlier this year, the commission’s May report raised concerns over these pesticides, creating unease within the corn industry. In response, KCGA and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) mobilized an immediate advocacy effort to emphasize their importance to sustainable production and the need to maintain the government’s established science-driven regulatory framework.
In July, KCGA Secretary Brett Grauerholz of Republic participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Senator Roger Marshall, alongside USDA and Health and Human Services officials. Attendees included Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and leaders from the MAHA movement.
Grauerholz explained how growers apply practices to improve soil health and sustainability and invited leaders to his farm for firsthand insight.
“Sometimes it just takes corn farmers going to Washington DC to explain to the policymakers what is actually happening on our farms when it comes to soil health, sustainability and responsible pesticide use," Grauerholz said.
"That’s what the grower members of the Kansas and National Corn Growers Association did with in-person meetings and with many of our members sending letters to the administration. Our proactive efforts truly made a difference.”
The final MAHA report underscored the value of precision agriculture, soil health, and stewardship, as well as efforts to boost public awareness of the EPA’s rigorous pesticide review system, widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive worldwide.
“The policy recommendations related to crop production, released today by the MAHA Commission, appear to be a reasonable and science-based approach for achieving its objectives. We are encouraged that when the commission engaged with agricultural stakeholders and followed the science, it reaffirmed what we already know: EPA is the appropriate agency for regulating crop inputs," NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr.
"We are also delighted to see precision agriculture, soil health and land stewardship prioritized, as these are areas in which corn farmers have led the way for many years. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress as they turn to the implementation of the report.”
Photo Credit: kansas-corn
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Corn, Government & Policy