The next president’s views on trade and immigration reform—how our goods are sold and who’s allowed (or not) to help get them ready for market—will have far-reaching implications for all aspects of the economy. Farming is no exception. When it comes to federal agricultural policy, the US Department of Agriculture becomes an extension of the White House, as do the department’s 29 different agencies. The heads of these agencies (who, like the cabinet secretary, are appointed by the president) are tasked with “providing leadership” on everything from “food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.” They also oversee a workforce of nearly 100,000 people and a 2015 operating budget of $146 billion.

In other words, how the USDA’s hundreds of programs are conceived, funded and managed could vary greatly depending on who gets elected. In addition to hours of televised debates and town halls, all five candidates make use of an “issues” tab on their official websites to articulate their visions and agendas. As it happens, only Bernie Sanders on berniesanders.com and Hillary Clinton on hillaryclinton.com provide information about where they stand on issues relating to the rural economy, farming and the USDA. But the gist of each candidate’s agricultural agenda can often be extrapolated from their general pro- or anti-regulatory, corporate friendly/unfriendly stance and rhetoric.

As far as the Republican candidates go, they have said little about the USDA and agricultural policy.

Ted Cruz put the department’s Catfish Inspection Program  onto  his list of 25 “agencies, bureaus, commisions and programs” he’d like to eliminate (the one listed right under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).

John Kasich, while campaigning in Iowa last September, was asked about federal support for corn ethanol. He explained, “Look, I was for killing the ethanol subsidy when I was in Congress, let’s not be confused. Then I became governor, and I’ve got people working these operations. So, I’m not about to kill them, but these subsidies that exist need to be phased out over time.”