Veneman endorses Harris: Republican Ann Veneman, the first woman to serve as U.S. agriculture secretary, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election, saying the tariffs proposed by former President Donald Trump were “dangerous for rural America” and would “harm farmers by undermining key trade relationships.” (Fox News)
More conservation funding: The USDA announced $1.5 billion in funding for 92 projects in the public-private Regional Conservation Partnership Program for land stewardship and climate-smart practices. (USDA)
Supporting corn farmers: Mexico’s new president announced a drive for food sovereignty that would increase the country’s output of beans by 30 percent and offer a guaranteed price to farmers who grow white corn used in making tortillas. (Associated Press)
Syngenta curtailed pesticide research: Documents released as part of a lawsuit say seed and ag chemical company Syngenta elected to limit its research into the possible health risks of the pesticide paraquat. (Investigate Midwest)
Mexico misses meeting: Mexico was absent from an annual meeting of state and provincial agriculture officials from Canada, the United States, and Mexico, which concluded with a communiqué saying the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement should “further promote free trade across North America.” (NASDA)