Heartland’s Samantha Fillmore was on the national radio show Agriculture in America to talk about how we helped defeat “Dairy Net Zero”
The Trump administration is taking a major step toward protecting American dairy farmers from burdensome environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates, and The Heartland Institute’s Samantha Fillmore says it’s a major victory for farmers, consumers, and America’s food security.
Appearing on the nationally syndicated radio program Agriculture of America, Fillmore, senior state government relations manager for Heartland Impact, discussed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ decision to end USDA support for ESG-related dairy checkoff initiatives, including the controversial Pathways to Dairy Net Zero program.
Fillmore explained how Heartland became involved after a Wisconsin dairy farmer received a letter from her milk purchaser demanding extensive reporting on energy consumption, fuel usage, and other environmental metrics. Failure to comply, the farmer was warned, could jeopardize her ability to sell her milk.
In response, Fillmore and Heartland Impact Executive Director Cameron Sholty co-authored a 40-page report exposing what they characterize as the ESG movement’s growing influence over American agriculture. The report was submitted to USDA with a request to withdraw from the Pathways to Dairy Net Zero initiative. Weeks later, the department announced its policy change.
During the interview, Fillmore also warned about foreign influence over American agriculture, the threat that ESG mandates pose to independent farmers, and the importance of protecting the nation’s food supply from policies imposed without farmers’ consent.
“Food security is national security,” Fillmore emphasized, arguing that the fight against ESG mandates is far from over.
While praising Secretary Rollins’ action, Fillmore stressed that lasting protections must also be established at the state level to prevent future administrations from reinstating similar policies.
Watch Fillmore’s full interview on Agriculture of America to learn how Heartland is fighting back against ESG mandates and working with state lawmakers to protect American farmers and consumers.
Watch below.
Samantha Fillmore is a State Government Relations Manager for The Heartland Institute.
