Trump signs regenerative agriculture order after Oval clash

A tense Oval Office meeting last week exposed a significant rift within President Donald Trump's coalition over agricultural policy, culminating in the signing of an executive order on regenerative agriculture after a heated debate between top officials and lobbyists. The confrontation, which multiple attendees described as intense and surprising, pitted advocates for reducing pesticide use against representatives of the conventional farming industry.

The meeting, held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, was initially convened for President Trump to sign an executive order titled "Advancing Regenerative Agriculture and Strengthening American Farm Resilience." The order directs federal agencies to study pesticide exposure and promote farming practices that rely on natural land rehabilitation over chemical inputs. Proponents, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and several farmers, argue such methods are critical for public and farmer health.

The signing ceremony quickly turned into a policy debate when American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, whose organization represents millions of farmers, urged the president not to sign. Duvall warned...