Gina McCarthy
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy visited Iowa Thursday and promised to improve EPA’s relations with farmers.

“My commitment to you is that at the end of my term, we will have a stronger, more productive, more trusting relationship between EPA and the agriculture community,” the newly-appointed McCarthy said during a speech in Des Moines, the Des Moines Register reported.

“Why are we going to do that? It benefits me, it benefits you and it will make this country stronger,” she added, speaking at the Farm Bureau picnic shelter at the Iowa Fairgrounds.

McCarthy also met with Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. Branstad told the Register that while they did not discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard, McCarthy is very supportive of it.

McCarthy also met with a group of environmental activists, but that meeting was tense, the Register noted.

McCarthy did not take questions from reporters, the Register and Radio Iowa reported.

• Des Moines Register — EPA Chief Promises Better Relationship with Farmers in Iowa and Elsewhere
• Radio Iowa — EPA Administrator Stresses Cooperation