Recent budget maneuvers in Washington appear to show favorable developments for conservation programs that could boost adoption of reduced tillage, no-till, cover crops and other practices — although the talks are far from final.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry released legislative text for the budget reconciliation package that the committee says will “rein in runaway spending” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and promote an invest in “rural America and America’s farm families.”
“This legislation delivers the risk management tools and an updated Farm Bill safety net they need to keep producing the safest, most abundant and affordable food, fuel, and fiber in the world,” said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), the committee’s chairman.
The American Soybean Assn. voiced support for the Farm Bill provisions in the legislation, saying they are “critical” to U.S. soybean farmers. “At a time of great uncertainty for the agriculture economy, ASA appreciates the committee’s continued efforts to support the needs of farmers,” said Kentucky soybean grower and ASA President Caleb Ragland.
The Senate Ag Committee’s version of the bill provides additional baseline mandatory funding for the four major working lands conservation programs: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Agricultural Conservation Easement 9 Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). It will also provide additional funds for the Small Watershed Program, commonly referred to as PL-566.
The legislation also rescinds unobligated funds appropriated under the Inflation Reduction Act to the four working lands programs. The bill would also expand access to standing disaster programs, the noninsured disaster assistance program and conservation programs for producers with 75% or more of their average gross income deriving from farming, ranching, or forestry.
A recent Bloomberg analysis of the U.S. House reconciliation plan found a similar story, as it provides $18.5 billion for EQIP (up from $12.2 billion under the current budget); $8.1 billion for CSP (up from $6 billion); $4.1 billion for ACEP (up from $2.7 billion), and $2.7 billion for the Rural Conservation Partnership Program (an increase over current $1.8 billion).
Although both chambers appear committed to getting a Farm Bill authorized — which hasn’t happened since 2018 during the first Trump Administration — it’s unclear how soon that will happen with the budget reconciliation process still playing out.
