National Ag Day: EPA Works to Restore Regulatory Balance Between Agricultural and Environmental Priorities

EPA Administrator Scott Mason shares updates on farm equipment regulations, regional accomplishments, and federal efforts supporting agriculture in honor of National Ag Day.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — On National Ag Day, federal officials from departments like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are highlighting recent efforts to balance sustainability and environmental goals with regulatory policy that actually supports farmers and ranchers across the country — rather than creating barriers.

EPA Region 6 Administrator Scott Mason joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report in honor of National Ag Day to discuss regulatory updates and initiatives benefiting agriculture.

In his interview with RFD News, Mason addressed the EPA’s reaffirmation of farmers’ and equipment owners’ right to repair their farm and non-road diesel equipment, emphasizing the benefits for both producers and the agricultural sector as a whole. He also reviewed updates to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) guidelines, explaining how safety measures are now in place with manufacturers while maintaining compliance with emissions rules.

Mason spoke about upcoming regulatory changes that farmers may not yet be aware of and highlighted accomplishments across the South-Central region. He also touched on the White House’s upcoming meeting with farmers and biofuel producers and noted speculation about potential announcements regarding biofuel blending mandates.

Finally, Mason reflected on the importance of National Ag Day, recognizing the hard work and dedication of America’s farmers and ranchers.

Related Stories
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses supply chain challenges facing agriculture as snow, sleet and ice threaten most of the Eastern U.S.
Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska joined us with the latest on efforts to secure year-round E15 sales.
Brian Earnest, an animal protein economist with CoBank, shares insights into current demand trends and the challenges facing broiler production.
Jack Hubbard, with the Center for the Environment and Welfare, shares context and perspective on the controversial letter about Prop 12 circulating in Washington and how a review shows it misled the public.
Decoupled base acres may amplify income inequality and distort planting decisions as farm program payments increase.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau joined us to discuss USDA’s latest farm income forecast, revisions to prior estimates, and what the updated data means for farmers heading into 2026.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
SharkFarmer host Rob Sharkey takes us on a tour of the John Deere showcase on the trade show floor of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville.
Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.
Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions provides remote water-monitoring technology to help ranchers manage livestock water more efficiently.
Jones Hamilton Company shares insights on herd health, efficiency, and innovation for cattle producers this year at NCBA CattleCon in Nashville.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.