This week, 23 national agricultural organizations sent a letter to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee backing Michael Regan to serve as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. 
Regan has served as the 17th cabinet secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality since 2017. Regan would also be the first black man to run the EPA. However, this is not his first time working for the EPA. Regan previously worked under the Clinton administration as an air quality specialist.
A few of the organizations backing Regan include American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Farmers Union, National Pork Producers Council, North American Meat Institute, United Fresh Produce Association, and USA Rice Federation — to name a few.
The letter stated the importance of farmers and ranchers — the original environmental stewards — be involved in reducing our nation’s environmental footprint. The organizations also highlighted Regan’s previous work rural communities and listening to farmers and ranchers. “As Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Michael Regan has an established record of listening to all stakeholders, including farmers and ranchers. During his tenure, he has worked to find practical, sound solutions to myriad environmental issues in the state, while ensuring science and data guided his decisions. He also understood the impact those decisions would have on rural communities and the families that live and work there.”
The letter continued, “We believe the same qualities that Secretary Regan has exhibited in his current position will be carried over to his leadership at EPA. We look forward to working with him on the numerous environmental issues facing our nation and fully support his nomination as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.”
As society and politicians work to reduce the environmental footprint of our country, it is important that farmers and ranchers are equally represented. Farmers have always been working hard to sustain this life for future generations and these organizations look forward to working with Regan to do just that.