Hawkins: USDA action preserves farmland, strengthens future of American agriculture

August 22, 2025

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MOFB President Garrett Hawkins has issued a statement regarding USDA's announcement to reduce energy subsidies:

"We commend Secretary Rollins and the USDA for taking decisive action to protect America's prime farmland from subsidized solar development. The USDA's announcement to reduce energy subsidies in Rural Development programs marks an important step in preserving agricultural land, ensuring future generations of farmers have access to the land they need, and safeguarding national food security.

We support numerous energy sources and landowners' rights to use their land how they wish. However, we oppose subsidies that unduly skew the energy market and result in the loss of productive farmland and disadvantage rural communities. Subsidizing solar developments on farmland has made it more expensive and less available for agricultural use - a direct hit to young and beginning farmers trying to enter the industry."