WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — Sugar beet and sugarcane farmers are heading into harvest, backed by support from federal officials. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden, the second-in-command at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), reiterated the crucial role farmers play in safeguarding the nation’s food supply.
“One of the things that is important to keep in mind is that for everything this administration does, no harm must come to America’s farm and rural communities,” Vaden says. “The best way that we can ensure Americans are healthy and well taken care of is to ensure that as much as possible of what they eat is grown here in the United States of America. We have the most efficient, the most sustainable, and the safest food supply the world has ever seen. We should want that food supply to be what’s on the plate of every American.”
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials are also weighing in, assuring growers they are working to ensure quick access to crop protection tools.
“This is our laser focus, to improve the tools that we can bring to you to help grow your crop,” Vaden continues. “I can assure you that Administrator Zeldin is 100% committed to ensuring that we are using gold standard science in everything that we do, in all our reviews of all pesticides. So, we know that pesticides are vital tools. We know you need them to control pests, to increase yield, to decrease food loss, and we are going to work to get you those tools.”
Officials from both the USDA and EPA say the goal is to maintain a strong food supply in America while ensuring that farmers have the necessary resources.
September 23, 2025 03:54 PM
·
“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
September 23, 2025 11:08 AM
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
September 23, 2025 11:06 AM
·
Let’s meet an inspiring young farmer leading the Tennessee FFA this year, but now has his sights set on the National stage.
September 22, 2025 01:26 PM
·
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across each region of the United States for the week of Monday, September 22, 2025.
September 22, 2025 10:21 AM
·
While symbolic, the WTO’s youth hackathon reflects growing calls for creative approaches to food trade and security, with potential implications for reducing losses, expanding biofuel markets, and stabilizing grain flows.
September 19, 2025 03:08 PM
·
Lawmakers and ag industry groups welcomed the confirmations, citing the direct impact of these leaders on western ranchers, water and land management, conservation programs, and regulatory reform.
September 19, 2025 01:21 PM
·
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch explains how the Emergency Livestock Relief Program application process differs from other USDA aid programs.
September 18, 2025 01:39 PM
·
Sen. Roger Marshall, a founding member and chairman of the Make America Healthy Again caucus, joined us with his thoughts on the commission’s latest report and the key ag-related issues.
September 17, 2025 04:36 PM
·
