Rod Snyder, president of Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, is the Environmental Protection Agency’s new agriculture adviser, pleasing ag groups that had backed him for the position.
“Snyder will lead outreach and engagement efforts with the agricultural community for EPA, working to advance the Biden-Harris environmental agenda for farmers and rural communities,” the agency said.
“I am honored to serve as EPA’s Agriculture Adviser as we forge practical, science-based solutions that protect the environment and ensure a vibrant and productive agricultural system,” Snyder said in a statement. “America’s farmers and ranchers are vital partners in achieving clean air and clear water, all while playing the critical role of delivering a healthy and secure food supply."
EPA Administrator Michael Regan has said frequently he wants to make sure he gets sufficient input from the farming community as EPA crafts regulations such as a new “waters of the U.S.” definition.
The agency said Snyder is “nationally recognized for his leadership at the intersection of agricultural and environmental policy,” calling Field to Market (FTM) “the largest multi-stakeholder initiative working to advance the sustainability of commodity crop farming in the United States.”
The description comes straight from the ag groups’ letter supporting Snyder for the adviser position. The agency also relied on the groups’ letter in saying Snyder has “forged science-based consensus among stakeholders across the food and agriculture value chain on issues such as climate change, water quality, biodiversity, and pest management.”
FTM’s Fieldprint platform has become widely used by commodity groups in sustainability programs.
The alliance, which Snyder has headed since March 2014, includes among its members farmers, agribusinesses, brands, retailers, civil society, academia and public sector partners. Together, it “grows and improves by sharing best practices and combining forces to advance the sustainability of food, fiber and fuel production in the United States,” according to the FTM website.
Snyder also has worked at the National Corn Growers Association and CropLife America, which represents the crop protection industry.
Jon Doggett, CEO of NCGA, said, “We congratulate Rod for his appointment as Ag Adviser at EPA. Rod has an extensive background in agriculture that will be beneficial to the agency as well as farmers across the country. We’ve worked with Rod through the years in his various capacities and look forward to engaging with him in his new role on issues that impact America’s corn farmers.”
NCGA was one of 14 groups that supported Snyder as ag adviser in a letter in June to EPA. The others include the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugar Alliance, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, National Potato Council, U.S. Apple Association, United Egg Producers, United Fresh Produce Association, and USA Rice Federation.
“Rod brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about how environmental issues intersect with agricultural stakeholders and rural communities,” Regan said. “It’s going to take all of us working together to tackle the climate crisis, advance environmental justice and build a sustainable future, and Rod is well-suited to bring our partners into the agency’s work and ensure agricultural stakeholders have a seat at the table.”
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