Land Core Newsletter - September 2023
Image Credit: Frances Gunn (Unsplash)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
As the fall season kicks off, we’re happy to share an update from the annual Regenerative Food Systems Investment Forum in Denver, CO, where a network of investors, philanthropists, farmers, “capital activators” and NGO support groups gathered to discuss and advance new flows of capital to support producers in adopting soil health practices and advancing more resilient or regenerative agricultural systems. From the vantage point of that room, the future looks bright. Our ED, Aria McLauchlan, gave a plenary presentation on the enormous influence that federal policy and public funds have on finance and investment in regeneration, and the importance of getting involved.
To that end - read on for detailed policy updates, as we closely monitor the potential government shutdown, ag-appropriations, USDA conservation investments, and the impact of all this activity on the Farm Bill.
We also have an exciting opportunity for farmers to provide cover cropping data for our risk model project. Field-level data from the Midwest is needed to help us calibrate and accurately identify cover crops from the satellite imagery we have. We've put together a short survey which you can find below.
Warmly,
The Land Core team
Policy Updates
All eyes are on Congress as time to avert a government shutdown by September 30 is rapidly dwindling. A shutdown would halt many new and ongoing USDA research activities, including new grants and access to government labs (impacting ARS, ERS, NIFA and many others), prevent proactive food and safety inspections, and could cut off nutrition assistance if the shutdown is prolonged. Political dynamics within and between the House and Senate have prohibited either chamber from passing the 12 annual spending bills. This week, Congress will work to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded while they debate the spending bills over the next several months.
Ag-Appropriations:
In the House, the spending bill that funds the USDA contains deep cuts (~14% compared to last year) to programs across the board, including to Conservation Technical Assistance (-3%), Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (-10%), and the Local Agriculture Market Program (-38%). The Senate USDA spending bill would provide funding levels similar to FY2023 for almost all accounts.
Note: A program many of you have been following, the Pandemic Cover Crop Program has been discontinued in both the House and Senate spending bills. However, Sen. Brown (D-OH) has sponsored a bill that would revive the $5 per acre payment, but it has seen a lot of resistance given the current push against any new spending.
See more of our Ag-Appropriations tracking summary here.
Farm Bill Timing:
With the focus on averting a government shutdown, the Farm Bill timeline remains uncertain. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) has announced that the House draft text will not be released until chamber leadership schedules floor time to discuss and debate the Farm Bill. Draft text is expected in the Senate in October or November, pending delays due to a shutdown.
We appreciate the ongoing support from our community and perseverance of our policy-focused colleagues as we continue to push for provisions that advance soil health and a more resilient agricultural system.
USDA Investments in Conservation:
One year after the landmark Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, the USDA has reported record demand for its top conservation programs, with many thousands of applicants and total requested funding amounts far exceeding the initial available funds. The $20 billion investment aims to help farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance for conservation practices that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage. It is important to note that IRA funding will increase substantially each year, through FY2026, pending any changes that might be made in the Farm Bill. Read more about the programs and investments here.
Bill Tracker:
We are working on adding over 30 additional new soil health related marker bills to the Bill Tracker, including some bills introduced earlier in the summer. There have been many new bill introductions despite the August recess, but we expect these will slow down soon. You can sign up to get Bill Tracker updates directly to your inbox here.
Risk Model News
Farmer Opportunity - Support Cover Crop Data Research:
Are you a farmer interested in sharing information about cover cropping on your farm? As part of our risk model project to quantify the risk reduction value of soil health practices, we are gathering field-level data on cover cropping in the midwest. This data will help us develop a remotely sensed dataset of this increasingly popular practice that can be used for research across all non-commercial settings. We are looking for information on fields with a history of cover cropping in IA, MI, MN, MO, OH, SD, and WI specifically.
Please help us by completing this 10-minute survey, or by sharing with farmers in your network.
Contact kangogo@landcore.org with any questions.
ICYMI - Recent Events
September 12, 2023 - Farm Bill in Focus: Climate-Smart Research for the Farms of the Future
Risk Model team member Dr. Lawson Connor from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Arkansas spoke at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute’s Farm Bill in Focus forum. View the recording and slides from the forum here.
What We're Reading
Nick Offerman partners with NRDC for "soil talk"
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) partnered with celebrity, Nick Offerman, to produce the world's quirkiest cover crop PSA. Mr. Offerman goes below the surface and plays a nontraditional role—soil—to show how cover crops can help fight climate change.
September 21, 2023 | By: Nick Offerman and NRDC
Ohio expands statewide water quality initiative for agricultural producers
A look at the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s H2Ohio program, which financially incentivizes farmers who voluntarily enroll their farmland and implement best management practices.
September 20, 2023 | By: Alejandro Figueroa, WYSO
USDA Sees Record Interest in Conservation and Clean Energy Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has seen record interest in the conservation and clean energy programs that received funding from the Inflation Reduction Act.
September 20, 2023 | By: Morning Ag Clips
How collaboration on regenerative agriculture can strengthen food security
Insight on how collaboration along the food value chain and among other parties is needed to catalyze financial investment in regenerative practices, provide resources to farmers and drive market demand.
September 19, 2023 | By: Neil Russell, Sysco
Unlocking the Secrets of Soil Health: New York Soil Health's Summer '23 Policy Brief
The New York Soil Health Program has released its newest policy brief, providing critical insights into soil health and agricultural practices.
September 18, 2023 | By: Rubio et al., New York Soil Health News
Scoop: Dems mobilize in climate-ag farm bill fight
The gloves are off in the farm bill fight over IRA ag conservation funds, after months of tensions brewing behind the scenes.
September 18, 2023 | By: Meredith Lee Hill and Garrett Downs, Politico
What's going on with the 2023 farm bill?
Congress is back from their summer recess with plenty to do, including passing bills that will keep the government funded and writing and passing the 2023 Farm Bill.
September 12, 2023 | By: Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid
Fall is a great time to think about soil health.
Insight on how soil health principles can be used in your garden this fall.
September 10, 2023 | By: Ron Patterson, East Idaho News
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