What does the Reconciliation Bill Mean for AG?

 

 

The surprise deal West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin struck with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer includes $40 billion in federal investments in agriculture priorities. The deal includes investments in agriculture, forestry and rural communities that Democrats say will create good paying jobs. Climate-focused farming: Half of the ag spending, or $20 billion, will go to currently oversubscribed USDA programs that incentivize green farming practices and limit greenhouse gas emissions. This includes strategic fertilizer use; carbon sequestration and storage practices; and greater application of cover crops.

Go deeper:
— $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
— $6.75 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
— $3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
— $1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

The green ag and conservation spending was lauded by Mike Lavender, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s interim policy director, who said that “Congress is poised to make a once-in-a-generation investment in effective working lands conservation.

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