Washington has a reputation for talking about farmers without ever talking to farmers. So, when two Cabinet secretaries take the time to visit a farm in Hillsboro, Texas, shake hands, ask questions, and really listen—it matters. Last week, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins did just that.
I won’t pretend we agree on everything, but as a Texas farmer, it meant something to see national leaders in our fields. And it meant even more to hear them acknowledge what we already know: agriculture and health are connected, and you can’t have one without the other.
On the health front, Secretary Kennedy said it plainly: “We understand that we cannot have a healthy America if we don’t have a healthy agricultural economy.” That’s a truth many in government seem to forget until they’re face-to-face with the folks doing the actual work. Secretary Rollins doubled down: “Farmers are the solution to make America healthy again.” It’s not about empty slogans. It’s about the tools, policies, and support we need to keep doing our job—growing safe, affordable food.
One of those tools is pesticides. I know it’s a word that makes some people uneasy. But the reality is that today’s crop protection products are among the most heavily tested substances in the world. We use them in ounces per acre, not buckets, and when used responsibly, they are a critical tool to help protect crops, livestock, and ultimately the food supply.
These aren’t just where we farm; they’re our home. Our families live here, we drink the water, and our kids grow up playing in this very soil. That’s why we use protection products carefully and support early action when new pests threaten our operations. That’s why I appreciated Secretary Rollins acknowledge the potential threat farmers and ranchers face with the flesh-eating parasite, the New World Screwworm and outline actions to address this challenge.
Texas farmers also got some good news during the visit: an agreement with Mexico to increase water transfers from international reservoirs, plus $280 million in new grants for agriculture. In a state where we’re farming with less water every year, that’s a lifeline.
It’s a reminder of why crops like sorghum remain essential. Sorghum, the Resource Conserving Crop®, is uniquely equipped to produce food, feed, and fuel with less water and less fertilizer. It’s one of the few tools we have that directly addresses both economic and environmental pressures. Seeing the executive branch recognize the importance of water-smart agriculture, especially here in the High Plains, is a step in the right direction.
While this administration deserves credit for showing up and listening, there’s still a lot left to do. Trade uncertainty has taken a toll on sorghum prices. We’ve lost four of our top five export markets, between China pulling out of the market in November and the decline in food aid purchases. For farmers already facing negative margins, that loss of market access is significant. Engagement during new trade negotiations is welcome, but we need real action that restores demand and opens new doors for U.S. sorghum.
Families are struggling to afford the basics, including fruits and vegetables, and we’re ready to do our part to help. But to grow more food and lower the cost of healthy meals, we need access to the tools, markets, and policies that make that kind of production possible.
As a sorghum farmer, I know firsthand that the health of our country depends on a strong and sustainable agricultural economy. Crops like sorghum play a critical role in feeding both people and livestock and supporting food security here at home and around the world. We rely on proven tools, including current crop protection products, to better steward our land and produce more with fewer resources. With input costs rising and families feeling the strain at the grocery store, we are doing everything we can to keep food affordable.
We are ready to be partners in the effort to Make America Healthy Again, through responsible farming practices and by being trusted stewards of the land. Just give us the chance.
Kody Carson and his wife, Kimbra, operate a family farm in Lamb and Hale counties in the Texas Panhandle. They grow sorghum, cotton, wheat, and produce cattle on an 8,000-acre irrigated and dry land operation. Kody served as Chairman of the National Sorghum Producers from 2020-2022. He also serves on the executive committee for Skyland Grain and Plains Cotton Cooperative Association. Carson has served his local church and school district, as well as state and national Farm Bureau committees, providing more than 25 years of leadership experience.