In an ongoing effort to restore trust between the Environmental Protection Agency and the agricultural stakeholders, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler named 33 members to the Farm, Ranch & Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC).

Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

“One of my priorities for EPA has been to restore trust for our agency among agricultural stakeholders and rural communities,” Wheeler said. “President [Donald] Trump has been clear about the Administration’s commitment to agriculture and rural America, and as part of that commitment, I am excited to reinstate the Farm, Ranch & Rural Communities Committee in 2020 with full membership. This committee will provide valuable input on how EPA’s decisions impact rural America, and I look forward to receiving the committee’s recommendations.”

To build a broad and balanced representation of perspectives for the FRRCC, EPA selected 33 members to represent a variety of relevant sectors from across the U.S., including agricultural stakeholders and allied industries; academia; state, local, and tribal government, and non-government organizations.

In selecting committee members, EPA reviewed the quality of applications received between Nov. 7 and Dec. 31, 2019, for nearly 150 nominations and considered qualifications such as whether candidates: have experience in agricultural issues of relevance to EPA programs, are actively engaged in agricultural production, have related leadership experience, demonstrated the ability to examine and analyze complex environmental issues with objectivity and integrity, have experience working on issues where building consensus is necessary, and are able to volunteer time to the committee’s activities.

The committee had no current members at the time of solicitation; therefore, these 33 nominees will constitute a brand new committee and will each serve two- or three-year terms beginning on June 15, 2020. The new members of the FRRCC hail from 24 states and one territory in all 10 U.S. EPA regions, with six of the members working in multiple states or at a national capacity. The committee expects to meet approximately twice a year beginning late this summer.

Two of the 33 members will have active service to the ethanol industry, which has frequently butted heads with EPA during this Administration, including Bill Couser of Nevada, Iowa, who helped develop a 50 million gal. local investor-owned ethanol plant in 2006, as well as Bill Pracht, vice chairman of Renew Kansas, the central contact for the state’s biofuels industry.

Lauren C. Lurkins, incoming committee vice chair, director of environmental policy in the Governmental Affairs & Commodities Division at the Illinois Farm Bureau, said she’s privileged to have the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the committee.

“In my work on environmental policy at Illinois Farm Bureau, I have come to learn the incredible value of building relationships and trust between the U.S. EPA and Illinois farmers. I look forward to this natural extension of my work on behalf of Illinois farmers," she said.

Rep. Darin LaHood (R., Ill.) added that Lurkins “will provide unique perspective and guidance to the agency on the challenges that midwestern agriculture faces as it relates to nutrient loss strategies and other environmental issues.”

EPA Region 5 administrator Kurt Thiede said, “Across the Great Lakes region, farmers are working together to find innovative solutions to address environmental issues. In addition to the partnerships and collaboration we are fostering with the agricultural sector in our region, the FRRCC is another way for farmers and rural communities to provide input to EPA so that future decisions better reflect the challenges the agriculture community is facing.”

Jim Zook, executive director of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan, said he was honored to be appointed to FRRCC. “It is critically important to include the voice of farmers and agriculture industry experts when making regulatory decisions that affect our growers’ livelihoods.”

Scott Yager, chief environmental counsel at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn., said the organization is very pleased with the strong complement of committee members who represent the beef cattle industry. "Tom McDonald, of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, has a long history and deep expertise in environmental and agricultural issues. Tom will provide resolute leadership to the committee as its new chairman. Farmers and ranchers now have a seat at the table with our federal regulators thanks to President Trump and Administrator Wheeler.” 

Kentucky Farm Bureau second vice president Sharon Furches was also named to the committee. She and her husband live in Murray, Ky., where they farm corn, soybeans, wheat and canola. “I am honored to represent farm families from Kentucky and across the nation on this committee,” Furches said. “It is critical that the EPA has input from farmers who are directly affected by decisions made in Washington, D.C.”

The U.S. cotton industry and its priorities will be well represented on the FRRCC, according to National Cotton Council president and chief executive officer Dr. Gary Adams. Among the members are Stacy Smith, a cotton producer from New Home, Texas, and Dr. Jeffrey Gore, a research professor at the Mississippi State University Delta Research & Extension Center in Stoneville, Miss.

The new FRRCC members and their affiliations are: