President Signs Executive Order on Regenerative Agriculture

The president signed an executive order titled "Advancing Regenerative Agriculture and Strengthening American Farm Resilience" on Thursday. The order directs federal agencies to promote precision agriculture technologies and increase investment in regenerative agriculture practices, research, and education.

The signing came after an Oval Office meeting attended by the secretary of health and human services, the secretary of agriculture, and the president of an agriculture organization. During the meeting, the health secretary said a Supreme Court decision earlier that day represented a setback for supporters of efforts to reduce conventional pesticide use.

A farmer who attended the meeting told Axios that pesticide exposure affects farmers' health and urged the president to sign the order. Other farmers present expressed support for regenerative agriculture practices that limit pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use.

The agriculture organization president argued against signing the order, stating it could reduce support among farming interests. A senior White House adviser and the agriculture organization president disagreed over whether the organization president had read the order.

The president had signed a separate order in February aimed at expanding domestic production of glyphosate, a commonly used herbicide. The new order states that lack of access to glyphosate-based herbicides would jeopardize agricultural productivity.

A Department of Agriculture spokesman said the agency does not comment on private meetings with the president. A White House spokesman said the president listens to multiple viewpoints before making decisions.