In December, Congress approved a new five-year Farm Bill that will provide full funding for conservation programs that help farmers put in place conservation systems that address soil, water, and wildlife needs in rural areas. Farm Bill conservation programs provide $6 billion per year, the largest single source of funding for private lands conservation in America.

The new law passed with broad congressional support: 87 to 13 in the Senate and 369 to 47 in the House. Final approval came after six months of difficult negotiations to resolve the differences between versions passed separately by the Senate and House in June. Some of the most difficult issues to resolve were over the direction of Farm Bill conservation programs. The Senate bill, which the League supported, provided full funding for conservation programs and would have strengthened key programs. The House bill, which the League opposed, would have cut funding for conservation and weakened two key conservation programs.

What emerged in the end was a compromise that provides full funding for conservation and important changes to many programs. However, the bill offers no major overhaul for conservation and other key pieces of the Farm Bill.

For a more detailed analysis of the new Farm Bill’s provisions, read the “Soil Matters” column from this issue.