WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Country music artist John Rich is taking on a new role in Washington, focused on protecting the interests of American landowners.
Rich recently accepted an appointment as Special Envoy for American Landowners, a voluntary position in which he works with the administration to address issues affecting farmers, ranchers, and property owners across the country.
In his new position, Rich said he works directly with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and other agency leaders to identify and address concerns involving property rights, energy projects, infrastructure development, and eminent domain. He joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share the story behind his special appointment.
In his interview with RFD News, Rich explained that the opportunity came after a conversation with President Donald Trump, who referenced Rich’s previous efforts to challenge a Tennessee Valley Authority project that threatened landowners. He said the president asked if he would take on a broader role advocating for landowners nationwide.
Rich said his experience with the TVA project helped demonstrate the importance of giving landowners a voice early in the planning process. After speaking out alongside affected farmers and residents, Rich said the TVA ultimately abandoned the proposed project and has since worked with him to better consider how future developments could impact landowners.
"“There are a lot of things going on with data centers in the United States,” Rich told RFD News. “I know we’re all looking at these data centers. And Secretary Rollins made a great statement about three days ago in D.C., when I was with her, to the press. And she said, there’s a right way to build a data center, and there’s a wrong way to build a data center. And I believe currently she’s working on a framework kind of outlining what is the right way, what is the wrong way. That’s an ongoing conversation in D.C. right now behind the scenes. But I think in the coming days and at the longest a couple of weeks. I think you’re going to be seeing some news about that, about data centers specifically.”"
He emphasized that the goal is finding a balance between expanding critical infrastructure and protecting private property rights, particularly as the country works toward greater energy independence.
Rich said one of his current focuses is a dispute over farmland in upstate New York, where he argues that changes to the definition of prime farmland could put thousands of acres of highly productive agricultural land at risk of large-scale solar development. He said he has been working with federal officials to raise concerns about the impact on family farms and multi-generational operations.
He also pointed to growing conversations around data center development and transmission infrastructure, saying there is a need to ensure projects are built responsibly and with respect for surrounding communities and landowners.
Rich said his mission is to advocate for landowners, regardless of the issue’s size, from large-scale energy projects to individual families facing potential land disputes.
“There’s no case too small, no case too big,” Rich said, emphasizing that protecting American landowners is at the center of his role.
While Rich is known nationally as a country singer-songwriter, he said this appointment represents an opportunity to serve others and make a meaningful impact.
Rich added that his focus remains on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners navigate challenges while ensuring their voices are heard in decisions that affect their property and livelihoods.
