Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Chad Franke appointed to EPA Farm, Ranch, and Rual Communities Committee

LANDER, Wyo. — Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU) is proud to announce that President Chad Franke has been appointed to serve on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC).

The committee brings together agricultural leaders from across the country to provide the EPA with recommendations and guidance on environmental issues and policies that affect farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Franke’s appointment ensures that the perspectives of farmers and ranchers in the West are represented as the committee considers issues impacting agriculture nationwide. Producers across the Rocky Mountain region face unique challenges, including water scarcity, prolonged drought, wildfire risk, and public land management. RMFU believes having a leader with firsthand experience navigating these realities will help advance practical, producer-driven solutions that recognize the needs of rural communities.

“President Franke’s appointment to the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee is a testament to the leadership, practical knowledge, and commitment he brings to advancing family agriculture,” said Tyler Garrett, RMFU Chief Executive Officer. “Chad has been a steadfast advocate for policies that strengthen rural communities and ensure family farmers and ranchers have a voice in the decisions that affect their livelihoods. His experience as a farmer, engineer, and Farmers Union leader gives him a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing agriculture today. We are confident his collaborative approach and commitment to practical solutions will make him a valuable contributor to the committee and help ensure family agriculture is well represented at the national level.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to serve on this committee and help bring the voices of western farmers and ranchers to the table,” Franke said. “The best policies are developed when the people who live and work on the land have a seat in the conversation. I look forward to working with fellow committee members to identify practical solutions that protect our natural resources while supporting the producers and rural communities that depend on them.”

The EPA established the FRRCC in 2007 to provide policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues affecting agriculture and rural America. Franke will serve a two-year term on the committee.