The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the appointment of 18 new members and the reappointment of six existing members to its Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The committee plays a vital role in providing independent policy advice on environmental issues impacting agriculture and rural communities.

Dr. Beth Sauerhaft from American Farmland Trust will continue as chair, while Mr. Michael Crowder from Ducks Unlimited will serve as vice-chair. They will work with 13 existing members whose terms are set to expire in November 2025. The committee members bring diverse experiences from academia, agriculture, non-governmental organizations, and government sectors.

EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan stated, "EPA remains committed to ensuring agricultural and rural communities are fully engaged as partners in our work to protect our environment and advance public health." He emphasized that the new appointees' perspectives would be crucial in addressing environmental challenges with practical solutions.

In addition to previous recommendations submitted this year, the FRRCC has provided an additional 32 recommendations on various topics including EPA's technical assistance improvements for rural communities, solar energy program outreach for agriculture support, and enhancing public-private partnerships for conservation practices. Administrator Regan plans to respond to these recommendations soon.

The selection process for new members began in July 2024 after a request for nominations attracted over 80 applicants. Selected individuals represent all ten EPA regions across 24 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. They were chosen based on their expertise in priority areas such as climate change and sustainable agricultural practices.