USDA Leadership Boosts Wildfire Prevention Efforts

Jan 27, 2025
By Farms.com

Kristin Sleeper and Tom Schultz take key USDA roles

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced new leadership appointments to bolster efforts in wildfire prevention and forest management.

This announcement aligns with President’s visit to California to assess wildfire damage, reflecting a renewed commitment to protecting natural resources and communities.

Leadership Appointments

Kristin Sleeper is the new Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment. Her extensive background in environmental policy and advanced education in environmental management and public administration equip her to lead initiatives focused on resource conservation and forest health.

Tom Schultz, named Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment, brings years of experience managing large-scale public lands. His roles in Idaho and Montana’s resource departments, combined with his expertise in forest and land management, position him to address the challenges of wildfire prevention and conservation.

USDA’s Role in Natural Resources

The USDA’s Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) division is responsible for managing 193 million acres of public lands. This includes overseeing the U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, focusing on wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable land management.

These appointments reflect the USDA’s dedication to proactive forest management and safeguarding communities from wildfires. By prioritizing sustainable practices, the USDA aims to ensure the long-term health and productivity of the nation’s forests and ecosystems.

Video: Markets Continue to Chase Chinese Trade Headlines

The U.S./China trade war has escalated after Trump threatened to slap 100% Tariff on China by Nov. 1 after China placed some export restrictions on rare earth minerals.
But Trump overstepped/overreacted but the meeting with Xi at the end of the month was still on even after Trump threatened China with an embargo on used cooking oil. The U.S./China were going to meet and talk about trade issues today ahead of the meeting with Xi/Trump in South Korea.
Despite the increased tensions and noise both the corn and soybean futures held support at $4.10 and $10 with a corrective bounce higher on news that U.S. corn yields are a concern.
U.S. soybean prices are $0.90 to $1.50 cheaper than Brazil.
News that China was willing to remove the tariffs on Canada if Canada would lift the 100% levies on Chinese EV vehicles sent funds short covering in canola futures. Canadian and Chinese met on Friday to discuss ag issues like canola and meat.
Stocks fell on the increased rise in tensions with the U.S./China and concerns over bad regional loans, but investors shake off the news on strong Q3 earnings from the big U.S. banks.
Wheat continued to trade to new 5-year lows while cattle were breaking out to new record highs as Trump was working his magic on lower U.S. beef prices.
U.S. crude oil continued its trend lower as did Bitcoin.