The following is a statement from Virginia Farm Bureau President Scott Sink, regarding the release of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission initial assessment on May 22, 2025.

Virginia’s farmers share the White House’s vision for a healthier America, and we recognize that healthy meals start with healthy farms. However, we’re troubled by the MAHA Commission’s initial opinion-based findings and their potential impact on our farm families who have fed this nation for generations.

Our farmers don’t just grow food—they grow their legacies. They live on the land they farm, raise their children there, and work every day to pass healthy soil and thriving operations on to the next generation. Their livelihood depends on growing nutritious food sustainably. While the MAHA Commission questions some aspects of modern farming practices, farmers have the strongest incentive to protect both their land and their families’ health. They wouldn’t use tools or methods that jeopardize either their family’s safety or their farm’s future productivity.

As a farmer, I can confidently say that farmers share the goal of improving health outcomes in America. They’re dedicated to continuous improvement, guided by sound agricultural and livestock practices and technological advancements that keep our food supply safe, abundant and affordable.

Any policy changes must consider real-world consequences for food affordability and availability. Well-meaning, yet misguided, restrictions could reduce crop yields, drive up grocery costs and increase hunger in America—outcomes none of us want. Virginia’s farmers stand ready to be partners in building a healthier nation, but solutions must be practical and account for farming’s complexities. We need a seat at the table for discussions that include farmers’ voices and recognize that sustainable agriculture requires balancing environmental stewardship, economic viability and food security for all Americans.