LENEXA, KANSAS (March 18, 2025) — The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commemorates National Agriculture Day by celebrating America’s rich agricultural history, and the critical role farmers and ranchers play as stewards of our land and natural resources while providing Americans with a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply.
“Agriculture is the foundation of the American economy and embodies the core of our American values. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are affirming our commitment to commonsense policies, to clear and consistent rules for all states, farmers, and small businesses. EPA is proud to work alongside our nation’s great farmers to usher in the Golden Age of American Success,” said Administrator Lee Zeldin.
As of 2022, over 45% of all US land is dedicated to producing the food that feeds the nation’s families, making the agricultural sector one of the most important sectors in the US economy. Under the Trump Administration, EPA is committed to working closer than ever with American farmers and ranchers, as well as the industries that support them, to provide certainty and regulatory clarity to the entire agricultural community.
Last week, EPA kicked off these efforts with Admin Zeldin announcing that the agency would review the definition of “waters of the United States.” EPA will move quickly through this rule-making process to ensure that a revised definition follows the law, reduces red-tape, cuts overall permitting costs, and lowers the cost of doing business in communities across the country while protecting the nation’s navigable waters from pollution. Admin Zeldin was joined by Senate Agriculture Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Sen Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen Katie Britt (R-AL), Western Caucus Chairman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), and Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall for the announcement.
EPA’s actions, including the 31 deregulatory actions the agency announced last week, support Administrator Zeldin’s “Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative,” upholding the agency’s mission of protecting human health and the environment while energizing the greatness of the American economy. The plan outlines the agency’s priorities and consists of five pillars that will guide EPA’s work over the first 100 days and beyond.
Pillar 1: Clean Air, Land, and Water for Every American
Farmers and ranchers are the foremost stewards of the environment, and their partnership is critical to ensuring clean air, land, and water for all citizens.
Pillar 2: Restore American Energy Dominance
Pursuing energy independence and energy dominance will cut costs for everyday Americans including the farmers, ranchers, and businesses supporting them. American farmers power the nation’s families and workforce, forming a strong connection between the agriculture and power sectors. Together, EPA is working with farmers and ranchers to help support the production and development of clean, renewable fuels, while reducing dependence on imported oil.
Pillar 3: Permitting Reform, Cooperative Federalism, and Cross-Agency Partnership
It is vital for EPA to work with the agriculture industry, and our partners at the state and federal levels to ensure certainly and reduce burdens so agribusiness can continue to thrive, while safeguarding our environment, supporting our economy, and creating American jobs. EPA is working to improve the speed and efficiency of our review of new pesticides while protecting human health and the environment, to help our farmers grow more food and protect crops from pest damage, diseases, and weeds.
Pillar 4: Make the United States the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World
Agriculture is uniquely positioned to benefit tremendously from the advancements of AI. As we rapidly advance into the age of AI, it is important that the United States lead the world in this field which can be used to support technologies to advance agricultural production and environmental protection.
Pillar 5: Protecting and Bringing Back American Auto Jobs
Bringing back American auto jobs and investing in domestic manufacturing will help revitalize American industries. We will partner with industry leaders to explore ways to strengthen the connection between two powerhouses of the American economy: The auto industry and agriculture.
Learn more about how EPA supports American agriculture.
