With over 11 million acres of farmland, Utah is home to one of the country’s most profitable agricultural markets. We should respect and appreciate the contribution of Utah’s agricultural industry to our economy and our security by resolving the uncertainty and federal overreach associated with public land usage, reducing the excessive number of wild horses and burros, and fostering sustainable forest and land management policies. I’m pushing for policies in the Senate that support these goals.
I favor trade policies that open markets for Utah’s agriculture exports, and I was pleased to vote in support of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which updated NAFTA to create more balanced and reciprocal trade, raised labor standards, and protected our technology and intellectual property from those who don’t play by the rules. Utah’s dairy farmers will benefit from access to new markets for exports into Canada and Mexico.
I am a strong advocate for creating sustainable and climate-friendly agricultural solutions that benefit both our planet and Utah’s farmers. I cosponsored the Growing Climate Solutions Act—which passed the Senate 92-8—to incentivize farmers, ranchers, and private landowners to participate in voluntary carbon markets and strive to reduce harmful emissions from the agricultural sector. Although preventing the catastrophic consequences of climate change is one way we can ensure future success for our agriculture industry, I also believe that Utah’s workforce is just as crucial. This is why I support states having a greater voice on the federal visa distribution process for crop, livestock, and dairy workers because they know best their unique needs.