The National Corn Growers Association is welcoming a series of Trump administration actions aimed at expanding support for regenerative agriculture and biofuel production, saying the measures could strengthen both farm sustainability and domestic energy supplies.
The administration recently issued an executive order focused on regenerative agriculture and announced a new USDA regenerative biofuel feedstock rule intended to create additional market pathways for crops grown under qualifying conservation practices.
NCGA President Jed Bower, an Ohio farmer, said the organization views the moves as recognition of the role corn farmers play in supplying renewable fuel while maintaining stewardship of their land.
Bower noted that corn growers have long contributed to the nation’s energy supply through ethanol and other biofuels, providing a domestically produced fuel source that supports energy security. He said farmers are positioned to continue expanding that role as demand for renewable fuels grows.
The organization also pointed to existing adoption of regenerative practices across U.S. corn production. According to USDA data referenced by NCGA, nearly 70% of farmers already use at least one practice considered regenerative, such as reduced tillage, cover crops or nutrient management strategies.
Bower said many of those practices have been in place for years and reflect farmers’ long-standing focus on protecting soil health and improving efficiency.
NCGA also highlighted the widespread use of precision agriculture technologies, which have helped growers improve resource use efficiency while maintaining productivity. The group said additional investment in those technologies could further support production of food, fuel and fiber.
The association also signaled support for faster Environmental Protection Agency reviews of new pesticide products, saying timely approvals would help farmers maintain productivity and advance conservation goals.
NCGA said it plans to closely review USDA’s regenerative feedstock rule as the policy moves forward, while continuing discussions with federal agencies on how regenerative agriculture programs could affect corn producers and biofuel markets.
Source: National Corn Growers Association, "Corn Growers Respond to Regenerative Agriculture Announcements"