Land Core Newsletter - August 2022
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
With the Inflation Reduction Act officially signed into law this month, we are taking a moment to celebrate this incredible victory for both American farmers and our national soil health.
This month, we’ve put together an opportunity for farmers, a late summer reading list, and upcoming events and opportunities to connect.
Please consider forwarding this newsletter to a farmer - we often share funding sources, news, and opportunities for farmers and ranchers who are working to build or are curious about soil health.
Note: Our team will be mostly offline and out of the office starting August 29 for some much anticipated rest, and will be back in full force in September.
Wishing you and yours a safe and restful end of summer!
The Land Core team
Inflation Reduction Act Boosts Funding for Soils
On August 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. As we have mentioned before, this includes a big boost for USDA conservation programs. The agriculture portion of the bill includes nearly $20 billion in new funding for soil health related agriculture and conservation programs, including:
$8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), to help producers roll out conservation and soil health practices on their land; including $50 million for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Trials.
$3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to implement longer-term conservation plans.
$1.4 billion for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for producers to be compensated for establishing and maintaining conservation easements.
$4.95 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for private-public partnerships that advance soil health and conservation.
$1 billion for conservation technical assistance (CTA) to provide boots-on-the-ground support to producers implementing soil health management systems.
$300 million for a new sequestration and GHG emissions quantification program.
This more than doubles funding for key programs (at current funding levels). The bill also directs USDA to focus the funding on conservation practices that directly improve soil carbon. Land Core will be working hard to ensure USDA gets the funds swiftly out the door to support farmers and their work on the ground.
If we work together to focus these resources on building soil health and advancing regenerative agriculture, we believe that this portion of the bill can dramatically improve the lives of farmers and ranchers, rural communities and American families. We are also optimistic that this will provide a strong foundation for 2023 Farm Bill negotiations. See details in our bill tracker or take a deeper dive here or here.
Join Land Core's Farmer Advisory Council
We are still building our council of farmer and rancher leaders from across the country that help ensure Land Core is getting consistent farmer feedback on all of our work, including the risk model and development of economic incentives for producers to maintain or transition to soil health practices. If you are an interested farmer or want to suggest someone apply, please contact Aria McLauchlan at aria@landcore.org.
Opportunities to Connect
Our staff will be presenting at or attending the following upcoming events:
September 13, 2022 - “Regenerative Agriculture Opportunities for Banks”, a Virtual Finance Roundtable hosted by Green America’s Soil & Climate Alliance. Hear from Land Core and other innovative organizations and lenders on their models and how they’re able to negate the risk around regenerative transitions as well as how to layer incentives. Network members attend for free, guests can purchase a ticket. Register here →
September 13-15, 2022 - Land Core Visits the Hill - Aria will be in D.C. with the Regenerate America coalition, which will be hosting an informal happy hour. Reach out for details if interested.
September 16-19, 2022 - Edible Planet Regenerative Retreat - Our team will be traveling to Umbria, Italy to join global regenerative leaders in designing solutions to implement deep structural change in the food system. Learn more →
What We're Reading
New books:
The Little Regenerative Farmer
Written by Lauren Lovejoy and illustrated by Yana Gorbatiyk (children’s book)
Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in Nature
By Kristin Ohlson
What Your Food Ate: How to Heal Our Land and Reclaim Our Health
By David R Montgomery & Anne Biklé (see 5 key takeaways)
Articles & Research:
Focus on soil health boosts bottom line
Cattle Industry Convention speaker highlights monitoring, managing and maintaining soil health as key to productivity and, ultimately, profitability on the ranch.
August 23, 2022 | By: B.J. Eick, Midwest Marketer
Soil Health to Fight Drought in Central Kansas
Kansas soil health tour stresses regenerative ag practices to address drought and heat
August 3, 2022 | By: Chris Clayton, DTN Progressive Farmer
When it comes to chemical fertilizer – less is more, new study says
The findings of a new, long-term academic study may lay some farmers’ fears to rest: farming regeneratively, or farming in ways that benefits soil, water and air quality, doesn’t have to come at the expense of crop yield.
August 4, 2022 | By: Dana Cronin, NPR
The future of farm and food policy
Four ways the next farm bill can be updated to enhance resilience in agriculture and meet the nutritional needs of consumers.
August 3, 2022 | By: John Penson, PhD, The Hill
Soil Health Institute Announces Recommended Measurements for Evaluating Soil Health
SHI announces a suite of measurements including cost, practicality, and availability for producers.
August 12, 2022 | By: The Soil Health Institute
A Tale of Two Watersheds: Cover Crops vs. No Cover Crops
South Dakota fields using soil health practices hold water and avoid runoff in recent derecho.
August 16, 2022 | By: Anthony Bly, No-Till Farmer
Reviewing the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for Ag - Part 1
Reconciliation background and the funding for conservation programs in the Farm Bill. See also Part 2 (rural development, FSA, and forestry) and Part 3 (CBO score).
August 11, 2022 | By farmdoc DAILY, University of Illinois
No-till farming study shows benefit to Midwestern land values
New North Carolina State University study shows that no-till farming increases agricultural land values, with a 1% increase translating to a $7.86 per acre increase in land values across the Midwest.
August 15, 2022 | By: Mick Kulikowski, Phys.org
Get Involved
🌾 Donate to Land Core! Support our programs to advance soil health in 2022.
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🌾 Write a Letter to the Editor voicing your support for soil health.