Promoting Agriculture and Rural Prosperity in America

Overview

Purpose of the Executive Order

Executive Order 13790, issued by President Donald Trump on April 25, 2017, is aimed at enhancing agriculture and rural prosperity across the United States. It establishes an Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to evaluate and recommend legislative, policy, and regulatory changes that would uplift rural areas through various sectors. The underlying intent is to dismantle barriers to economic prosperity while promoting agricultural innovation, improving infrastructure, and securing a strong agricultural workforce.

Key Objectives

The order outlines multiple goals, including economic development, job creation, and improved educational opportunities in rural communities. It places a strong emphasis on technological advancements, energy security, and sustainable agricultural practices. Targeted towards ensuring that rural communities benefit from national prosperity, the executive order orchestrates federal interventions to address their specific needs, which are often neglected in broader national policy discussions.

Context and Revocation

This executive order revokes EO 13575, which established the White House Rural Council during the Obama administration. By doing so, it reflects the Trump administration's focus on deregulation and interagency collaboration, marking a shift in how rural issues are addressed at the federal level. This change is not merely about continuity but about reevaluating former approaches to rural development, emphasizing a balance between federal oversight and local autonomy.

Legal and Policy Implications

Regulatory Adjustments

The executive order instructs federal agencies to scrutinize regulations that hinder rural prosperity. By mandating the Interagency Task Force to pinpoint these barriers, the order opens the door to relaxing regulations that are deemed excessive. This is congruent with the broader Trump administration agenda focused on reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.

Interagency Collaboration

By involving a broad array of federal agencies—from the Department of Defense to the Environmental Protection Agency—the executive order signifies a holistic approach to rural policy. It encourages synergy between departments, potentially leading to more streamlined and effective policies, thereby reflecting a significant shift towards policy harmonization rather than fragmented agency efforts.

Impact of Revocation of EO 13575

The revocation of the prior order that set up the White House Rural Council signifies a transition from direct federal intervention to a decentralized approach, empowering states and localities to customize policy solutions. While this increases local autonomy, it also highlights a fundamental change in the federal governance of rural policies.

Who Benefits

Rural Communities

The executive order aims to revitalize rural communities through targeted policy recommendations and regulatory reforms. By focusing on improving infrastructure, educational opportunities, and economic prospects, the administration endeavors to ensure these communities are not sidelined in the quest for national prosperity.

Agricultural Sector

The directive is designed to support American agriculture, ensuring a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of food, fiber, and forestry products. With provisions to reduce regulatory burdens, foster technological innovation, and boost export opportunities, agricultural producers and agribusiness sectors stand to gain from a more conducive operating environment.

Small Businesses

Highlighting the importance of small enterprises, the executive order advocates for regulatory reforms and policy adjustments that protect and promote them. This emphasis on small businesses facilitates job creation and economic stability, particularly in rural areas where they are often the backbone of local economies.

Education Sector

With specific provisions aimed at expanding educational opportunities in STEM fields, the order promises direct benefits to students and educational institutions in rural regions. This initiative equips the future workforce with necessary skills and helps retain talent, addressing the brain drain often experienced by rural areas.

Energy Sector

By promoting traditional and renewable energy initiatives in rural landscapes, the order benefits the energy sector. The encouragement of diverse forms of energy production not only supports energy security but also opens new avenues for economic gains in rural communities.

Who Suffers

Environmental Advocates

Environmental advocates might view this executive order with concern due to its stress on deregulation. The reduction in regulatory burdens could inadvertently loosen environmental protections, with longer-term impacts on sustainable agricultural development and conservation in rural areas.

Regulatory Agencies

Government agencies with substantial regulatory functions may face challenges adapting to a more deregulated environment. The directive may require them to shift focus and reallocate resources, leading to operational uncertainties in areas traditionally characterized by robust regulation.

Communities Relying on Public Lands

Rural communities dependent on public lands could encounter complexities as the order addresses access hurdles. While the intent is to facilitate access, there is a risk of increased exploitation affecting ecological balance and land-use traditions, particularly where regulatory oversight diminishes.

Protectionist Industries

Industries reliant on protectionist measures may find certain provisions challenging, especially those advocating for increased export of domestic agricultural products. Such initiatives can elevate competition, affecting profitability in sectors accustomed to protective barriers.

Technology-Resistant Entities

Organizations opposed to adopting technological innovations might be adversely impacted. The emphasis on technology and innovation may require significant adjustments in operations and strategy for entities that have not embraced modernization.

Historical Context

Regulatory Philosophy

Executive Order 13790 fits into the Trump administration’s broader policy trend emphasizing deregulation as a stimulant for economic growth, an approach consistent across sectors such as energy, trade, and agriculture. The administration perceives regulatory excess as a hindrance to American competitiveness and prosperity.

Rural Focus

Replacing the White House Rural Council, the order maintains a focus on rural America, consistent with Trump's campaign rhetoric. Rural electoral support is acknowledged as pivotal, leading to an intention to realign policies that proactively address the needs of these communities.

Regulatory Shifts

EO 13790 represents a move from a command-and-control style of regulation to a more collaborative approach that accounts for local nuances. This shift reflects the sentiments within segments of American politics advocating for local autonomy over federal oversight.

Coordination with Other Orders

The executive order is designed to align with previous Trump administration orders, including EO 13771 on regulatory costs and EO 13783 on energy independence. This coordinated approach suggests an integrative effort to reach broader administrative objectives through coherent policy design.

Adaptation to Global Changes

Although focusing on domestic matters, this order acknowledges global economic shifts through its emphasis on technological innovation and export growth. It recognizes the necessity for U.S. competitiveness in an evolving global landscape, marked by rapid technological advancements and dynamic trade relationships.

Potential Controversies or Challenges

Judicial Scrutiny

The focus on deregulation might face legal challenges, especially if it undermines existing protections. Advocacy groups might litigate against perceived overreach or imprudent unwinding of regulations, prompting judicial reviews of the order’s legality and rationality.

Legislative Reactions

While promoting economic growth generally garners congressional approval, bipartisan apprehensions may arise over deregulation’s implications on safety and sustainability. Hearings could potentially hold agencies accountable for balancing economic incentives with public welfare responsibilities.

Coordination Hurdles

The establishment of the Interagency Task Force introduces challenges related to coordinating across diverse federal entities with distinct missions. Aligning various agencies under shared objectives may result in conflicts, impacting policy execution and goal attainment.

Community Expectations

Community and stakeholder perceptions can either support or hinder the initiative’s success. Should rural communities view the order as inadequately addressing their challenges, skepticism or backlash could arise, undermining claims of supporting these 'forgotten' populations.

Environmental and Energy Policy Conflicts

Amidst other executive actions like the Paris Agreement withdrawal, this order’s energy initiatives may generate disputes. Potential conflicts could surface regarding the environmental impact of promoting conventional energy sources, clashing with renewable energy commitments discussed in international accords.