Reflections from The MAHA Soil Health DC Roundtable

Written by Ryland Engelhart and Kelly Ryerson

On July 15, we had the opportunity to represent our organization, American Regeneration, at the MAHA Soil Health Roundtable at the U.S. Capitol Building. The event was hosted and facilitated by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in attendance.

The Roundtable, held under the banner of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, brought together a diverse group of farmers, scientists, policymakers, and health advocates to discuss how soil health intersects with human health, food security, and farmer prosperity.

A National Conversation Begins with the Soil

Both Secretaries Rollins and Kennedy opened the roundtable with remarks that emphasized the essential role that farmers play in reversing chronic disease and restoring the health of the American people. Their joint appearance signaled growing awareness at the highest levels of government that agriculture must be part of our national health solution.

Senator Marshall made the stakes clear when he stated:

“Soil health is the bridge where agriculture meets MAHA.”

We couldn’t agree more. Soil is the common ground upon which we can all meet.

Stories from the Land

Ten farmers and agricultural experts shared short testimonies from their fields and ranches, offering powerful insights into the realities of food production in America today. While approaches varied, there was widespread agreement that soil degradation threatens the long-term viability of farming—and that rebuilding soil health is the most promising way forward.

Panelists highlighted a range of solutions, from regenerative practices like cover cropping, crop diversification, and reduced tillage to precision agriculture strategies that limit chemical inputs and improve efficiency.

Bob Quinn, organic farmer, author of Grain by Grain, and advisor to American Regeneration, spoke about the connection between soil and human health. He emphasized that restoring the vitality of our soils is a necessary step to restoring the vitality of our people. Bob urged the secretaries to elevate soil health as a federal priority—not just for the benefit of farmers, but for the future of American healthcare.

From White House Conversations to Capitol Hill

Bob’s presence at the Roundtable followed a remarkable meeting with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins at the White House on June 13. After Montana’s governor recommended Bob’s book, Brooke reached out personally. The two spent nearly two hours together discussing his journey as an organic farmer and exploring how agricultural systems without conventional inputs can deliver measurable benefits to both people and the planet. (A photo of their meeting was later shared on Instagram.)

That same spirit of curiosity and openness carried into the Capitol. Bob asked us to put together a few soil-focused policy recommendations in advance of the event, which we quickly sourced from our closest policy advisors. Our hope was to spark ideas that could be realistically implemented to help farmers succeed in the regenerative transition.

A Balanced, Curious Conversation

Despite early concerns that the event might be steered by BigAg lobbying interests—particularly given the pushback MAHA received for addressing the health risks of pesticides—the Roundtable turned out to be refreshingly balanced. Kansas, a heartland of industrial agriculture, is not typically known for embracing alternative approaches. Yet here, a meaningful space was created for regenerative farmers to share their stories alongside conventional producers.

Both Brooke Rollins and Bobby Kennedy appeared genuinely curious and engaged. Brooke asked thoughtful questions and clearly valued farmer voices. Bobby, as always, was direct in his support of regenerative, biodynamic systems as a solution to America’s nutrition and chronic disease crisis.

The contrast between old and new paradigms was evident—but so was the potential for productive dialogue.

Taking the Vision to the Hill

Following the roundtable, we visited with congressional staffers from several key offices to share the American Regeneration Farm Plan and our broader vision for regenerating American soil. We met with teams from:

• Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS)

• Senator Rick Scott (R-FL)

• Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)

• Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)

• Congressman Lloyd Smucker (R-PA11)

In these meetings, we emphasized that soil health is more than an agricultural concern—it’s a national health, environmental, and economic imperative. We discussed mechanisms to support farmers in measuring and improving soil biology, incentivizing nutrient-dense food production, and transitioning away from dependency on chemical inputs.

Looking Forward: The Soil is Our Starting Point

What we saw on July 15 was the start of something promising: a bipartisan, cross-sector conversation about how to heal our country from the ground up.

The time has come to reimagine agriculture—not as a system of extraction, but as a living, regenerative force. If we invest in the health of our soil, we invest in the health of our people, our economy, and our planet.

Let’s make our farmers profitable, our harvests nutrient-dense, and our food system truly regenerative.

It starts with the soil.