On March 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a request for nominations to its Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy advice, information and recommendations to EPA’s Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies of importance to agriculture and rural communities. FRRCC members will be selected from a variety of relevant sectors including state, tribal and local governments, farmers, ranchers, rural suppliers and nongovernmental organizations. Nominations should include a resume and statement of interest and must be submitted to FRRCC@epa.gov by May 16, 2022.

The FRRCC was recently rechartered for a two-year period and EPA Administrator Regan has issued a new charge for the committee to focus on advancing climate mitigation and adaptation strategies for U.S. Agriculture. Committee members will be tasked with evaluating the EPA’s policies and programs at the nexus of agriculture and climate change. Topics may include:

• Alternative manure management systems and other methane reduction practices
• Improved quantification of greenhouse gas emissions reductions from low-carbon biofuels
• Climate and water quality co-benefits from nutrient management practices
• Strategies to achieve EPA and USDA’s goal of halving food loss and waste by 2030
• Research and regulatory responses to evolving pest pressures due to climate change
• Water management and reuse strategies to address water scarcity

As stewards of the environment, counties support agricultural reforms that will improve health and protect the environment of all Americans by significantly strengthening federal nutrition programs, improving access to healthy food, promoting environmental stewardship and conservation, protecting our food supply and robustly funding rural development initiatives based on best practices in coordination with local officials.