Legislation helps to ensure clean water, healthy soil and climate mitigation
On July 22, the Izaak Walton League of America and 10 of its state divisions joined a broad coalition to urge Congress to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill before the end of 2024.
The Farm Bill is reauthorized roughly every five years and encompasses a wide array of food and farm programs. Notably, it also represents the largest public investment in conservation on privately-owned lands. That means that the Farm Bill is also a clean water, soil health and carbon sequestration bill. The most recent Farm Bill expired in 2023 and was extended through September 2024.
“Passing a bipartisan Farm Bill in 2024 is important for many reasons, and at the top of that list is conservation,” said Kate Hansen, Agriculture Program Director for the League. “We have a chance to increase long-term funding by about 25 percent for programs that protect water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitat and fight climate change. But our ability to do so is dependent on timing. We need to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill this year.”
In a letter to congressional leaders from the Izaak Walton League and more than 500 local, state and national organizations and businesses urged progress on the bill. Signatories included League divisions representing Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Background
In 2022, Congress made a historic investment in agricultural conservation programs through the Inflation Reduction Act. Proposals in both the House and Senate would integrate these funds into the Farm Bill to grow available resources for years to come. But the clock is ticking to make sure that money is still accessible.
“Investing Inflation Reduction Act funds into Farm Bill conservation programs is a wise strategy embraced on both sides of the political aisle,” said Hansen. “The investment will increase resources available for conservation programs long into the future and pay off many times over. But every day that passes, the amount we can invest shrinks. We must keep momentum on the Farm Bill to seize this generational opportunity.”
Swift action by Congress could increase available funding for voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs by roughly $13 billion over ten years. Programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) help farmers and ranchers implement beneficial conservation practices on their land. Their efforts stand to benefit all of us by improving water quality, bolstering soil health, creating wildlife habitat and more.
Yet, these programs have long been underfunded and oversubscribed. Last year, less than one in three applicants were accepted nationwide due to limited funds. For every acre we fail to enroll, we all lose out.
“Our lawmakers should seize the opportunity to protect natural resources on America’s farms and ranches so that all Americans can all enjoy cleaner water and a more resilient future. Congress must pass a Farm Bill this year, and a bipartisan, collaborative approach is the best way to get there,” said Hansen.
Since 1922, the Izaak Walton League has fought for clean air and water, healthy habitat and conservation of our natural resources for future generations. Today, the League plays a unique role in supporting local community-based science and conservation and shaping national policy. www.iwla.org.
Media contact: Michael Reinemer, mreinemer@iwla.org, 301-548-0150 ext 220; Cell 703-966-9574