By Jamie Martin
Kansas Corn Growers Association leaders expressed strong support for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s latest policy report, which outlines a science based plan for reducing chronic childhood disease while recognizing agriculture’s role in sustainability.
The final report does not seek new limits on atrazine and glyphosate, two essential pesticides for weed control and soil protection. Farmers were concerned when early drafts singled out these tools, but proactive outreach by Kansas and National Corn Growers helped officials understand their responsible use.
KCGA Secretary Brett Grauerholz joined a July roundtable with federal agriculture and health leaders, including USDA and Health and Human Services officials, to explain how growers use precision agriculture and soil stewardship to protect land and crops.
“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. 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,” said Grauerholz. “Our proactive efforts truly made a difference.”
The Commission’s report highlights precision agriculture, soil health, and land stewardship, urging continued innovation and greater public awareness of the Environmental Protection Agency’s rigorous pesticide review system, regarded as one of the world’s most thorough.
National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. called the recommendations reasonable and science driven, affirming that EPA remains the proper agency for crop input regulation. Farmers nationwide are ready to collaborate with Congress and the administration to put the plan into action while safeguarding environmental and public health standards.
Photo Credit: environment-protection-agency
Categories: National