The United States House of Representatives Committee sent a letter on Tuesday, February 3, to investigate the cooperation between the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Chinese agricultural enterprise Syngenta Group in promoting the so-called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) activities. Lawmakers stated that the investigation involves national security and compliance with the tax-exempt status of the organization.
According to a report by Fox News on Wednesday, February 4, the investigation is led by the House Ways and Means Committee and the Congressional FFA Core Group.
Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith, and co-chair of the FFA Caucus, Tracey Mann, wrote to the CEO of the National FFA Organization, Scott Stump, requesting relevant documents and detailed answers regarding contracts, financial donations involved in their cooperation with the Chinese-controlled enterprise, roles of Syngenta Group employees serving in leadership or advisory positions, and the company’s involvement in formulating and promoting DEI strategies within the FFA organization.
Smith stated that the committee is expanding its investigation into foreign malign influences on U.S. tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, including the FFA, as the organization’s relationship with entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party appears to have influenced its decision-making, raising concerns.
The letter emphasized the role of FFA in educating and nurturing future leaders in the agricultural field, providing services to over 1 million students through thousands of chapters nationwide.
Smith said, “FFA plays a critical role in educating the next generation of farmers, promoting the development of American agriculture, and ensuring national food supply and security, a vital mission that cannot be compromised.”
Lawmakers emphasized that the U.S. agricultural sector should not become a channel for Chinese influence, and this cooperation needs thorough scrutiny, especially when it may be shaping the next generation of farmers and food producers.
In the letter, members of Congress stressed that cooperating with foreign adversaries and prioritizing awakening policies raises serious concerns about whether the National FFA Organization still meets the requirements to maintain its tax-exempt status.
Syngenta Group has been wholly owned by the Chinese state-owned enterprise ChemChina since 2017, which later merged into Sinochem Holdings.
During Trump’s first term, both ChemChina and Sinochem were designated as Chinese military companies. This designation aimed to identify businesses related to Beijing’s civil-military fusion strategy and restrict their access to U.S. government funding.
Although these designations were lifted in 2021, Syngenta Group was later re-designated as a Chinese military company, highlighting continued concerns about its relationship with the Communist regime.
Lawmakers stated that the interaction between Syngenta Group and FFA leaders, projects, and students raised concerns about the potential influence of Chinese state-owned enterprises on future leaders in the U.S. agricultural sector.
The letter stated, “In terms of economic espionage, the Chinese Communist Party has a rich history, including theft of biotechnology and agricultural intellectual property from the U.S. Yet the FFA allows a Chinese state-owned enterprise direct access to the future leaders of the American agricultural industry, which is shocking.”
Additionally, lawmakers criticized FFA’s support and promotion of DEI initiatives, suggesting that these measures could divert the organization from its core agricultural education focus towards identity-based priorities, leading to division among students.
The letter stated, “The goal of the National FFA should be to unite members as a community, not force them into specific categories.”
Lawmakers questioned whether Syngenta Group has been given a role in FFA’s DEI promotion efforts and exerted undue influence on the organization’s strategic direction.
This investigation also raises broader questions about the risk of foreign influence on tax-exempt organizations and the need for wider congressional oversight, especially as agricultural and food security issues are increasingly viewed as national security concerns.
Lawmakers referenced a statement by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, saying, “Farm security is national security.”
In 2022, Syngenta Group and the National FFA Organization launched a cooperation initiative that includes establishing scholarship programs, community donations, and support for agricultural education.
That year, the two organizations announced the development of an FFA strategy promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion. This cooperation continues to draw attention, despite recognition from several states and the USDA that close partnerships with Chinese companies raise concerns.
FFA stated in a statement that it is a non-profit, non-partisan organization primarily dedicated to developing student leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education, supported by agricultural community donors and sponsors without promoting any specific views of donors.
The organization stated that it is fully cooperating with the congressional inquiry. As the investigation is ongoing, FFA will refrain from further comments. Syngenta did not respond to requests for comment.