Donald Trump Appoints John Rich as Special Envoy for Landowners

Donald Trump appointed country music artist John Rich as the Special Envoy for American Landowners on July 10, 2026. Rich was sworn into the new position at the Oval Office, marking the establishment of a role within the United States Department of Agriculture designed to improve communication between federal officials and agricultural stakeholders.

Rich is tasked with meeting farmers and ranchers to gather feedback on land use, property rights, and the effects of large-scale wind and solar developments on productive rural lands. He will relay these concerns directly to leadership at the department. This appointment coincides with an administration trend of reducing subsidies for renewable energy projects.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the appointment in June, framing the role as a necessary effort to ensure rural producers are heard by the government. Rich, who has previously protested Tennessee Valley Authority projects, stated his mission is to protect private property rights and ensure rural families are not harassed or intimidated by outside interests.