By Jamie Martin
The American Farm Bureau Federation has welcomed the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” saying it highlights the important role U.S. farmers play in health and nutrition.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said that farmers and ranchers share the goal of improving health outcomes for Americans by providing safe, nutritious, and affordable food. He explained that healthy meals start with healthy farms, and that the new strategy rightly recognizes agriculture’s critical place in the food supply chain.
Among the recommendations, the commission suggests placing a renewed focus on American-grown fruits, vegetables, and meat, and reintroducing whole milk in school meal programs. According to Duvall, such steps would help children develop smart eating habits that last a lifetime.
He also noted that regulatory streamlining would allow farmers—many working on thin margins—to innovate and diversify to meet consumer demands. Other key recommendations included prioritizing voluntary conservation efforts and optimizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s pesticide approval process to accelerate safe innovation.
Duvall praised the commission for engaging directly with farmers, listening to their concerns, and considering their input while drafting the plan. He added that Farm Bureau members look forward to continued dialogue with policymakers at all levels to ensure balanced, practical solutions.
“Our food system has evolved and innovated over time to provide healthy and nutritious food to meet the diverse needs and preferences of American families; and we look forward to further innovations to improve health outcomes in America while ensuring farmers and ranchers can stock America’s pantries,” said Duvall.
This support underscores how agricultural leaders view health strategies as opportunities to align farmer innovation with public health goals while ensuring sustainable production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ridvan-celik
Categories: National