Food policy is front and center today as the Senate Finance Committee holds the confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
Kennedy personally addressed American farmers and ranchers in his statements, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the nation’s culture, economy, and security.
“American farms are the bedrock of our culture, of our politics, of our national security,” Kennedy said. “I was a 4-H kid, and I spent my summer working on ranches. I want to work with our farmers. I want to work with our farmers and food producers. Remove burdensome regulations and unleash American ingenuity. I simply cannot succeed without a partnership with American farmers.”
Tomorrow, Kennedy will face the Senate Health, Education, and Labor Committee.
Rayburn Electric Cooperative’s Chris Anderson discusses rapid AI data center expansion, mounting pressure on the electric grid, and impacts on agriculture and rural communities.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation shares how teens are helping fuel stronger demand for traditional U.S. dairy products.
For dairy producers, that could help support fluid milk use in cafeterias, breakfast programs, and other child nutrition settings.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold discusses the recent hantavirus outbreak linked to a South American cruise ship and Nebraska’s monitoring efforts on this week’s Rural Health Matters.
Practical changes to retailer stocking standards promote more options all while reducing fraud and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Dr. Jeffrey Gold joins us on Rural Health Matters to discuss the early warning signs of arthritis, the challenges facing rural populations, and steps individuals can take to manage joint health.