The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has drawn attention within the US agricultural sector, with concerns raised over its stance on conventional farming. At the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall highlighted both the challenges and opportunities for producers.
Marshall, who chairs the Senate MAHA Caucus, acknowledged that early statements from MAHA leaders had caused unease, particularly around pesticide use and crop practices. Engagement between farm representatives and the commission has since led to a shift in tone, with greater emphasis on collaboration.
The senator highlighted soil health as a shared priority, noting that regenerative practices could enhance crop resilience, mitigate emissions, and support revenue streams through carbon credit sales. He suggested that carbon markets could, in time, rival traditional farm income.
Seed oils also became a focal point. While MAHA figures have questioned their health impact, Marshall stressed that the concern lies more with processed foods than the oils themselves, given the importance of crops such as soybeans and sunflower seeds to US agriculture.
The MAHA movement remains politically charged but is being reframed as an avenue for partnership. For agribusiness, the debate signals potential shifts in consumer expectations, regulatory direction, and new revenue models tied to environmental goals.