2023 Farm Bill Resources

Agriculture Representatives from Rep. Rosendale's and Sen. Tester's office listen to Rancher Bill Milton at a listening session in Winnett, MT.

Marker bills address specific topics and may be rolled into the Farm Bill

1. NRCS conservation programs have been very beneficial for the ranchers whohave used them to protect and preserve their soils. There has been a backlog of ranchers who would like to participate. We need to remove barriers to make these programs more accessible to ranchers who are working toward practices that are mutually beneficial to the land and ranchers.
a. Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance Section 3 Rec 1 Provide robust funding to continue NRCS support to farmers and ranchers to address a wide range of natural resource concerns in line with local conservation priorities that improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. FACA supports utilizing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to encourage practices that improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, reduce emissions, and improve the resilience of farm and ranch operations.
b. WWF - Keep the $20 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding for Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry in the EQIP and CRS programs
c. WORC - Support the EQIP program and CSP program with several
recommendations that increase access for small/starting outfits and increase
emphasis on sustainable grazing practices.
d. Marker Bill
i. S. 1400/H.R.3036 Increase TSP Access Act Press Release

2. New and existing family ranches need to be profitable as they steward the land and produce food. They need access to current information, research, technology, and conservation programs, and support for developing alternative income sources.
a. Marker Bills
i. S. 658 EQIP Improvement Act Press Release One pager
ii. S. 174 Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act Press Release
iii. S. 98 Agriculture Innovation Act (Collect and analyze data on
conservation and other practices) Summary
iv. S. 720 / H.R. 1459 Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation
Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act Press
Release Precision Ag loans
v. S. 1400 / H.R. 3036 Increased TSP Access Act One pager

3. Direct federal funding to county and regional level organizations, like ACES, that are educating and collaborating with ranchers to improve soil health and other ecosystem services.
a. FACA Section 3 Rec 1 Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
b. S. 900 Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act One-pager

4. Prioritize funding and subsidies for family and independent ranches over
corporate operations.
a. WORC - Support the EQIP program and CSP program with several
recommendations that increase access for small/starting outfits and increase
emphasis on sustainable grazing practices.
b. Marker Bills
i. S. 658 EQIP Improvement Act

5. Support Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)
a. FACA Section 7 Rec 10 - Disperse GLCI funds through competitive grants and cooperative agreements to support partnerships that address unique grazing lands needs at the local, state, and regional levels.
b. GLCI Support letter by National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)
c. Marker Bills
i. H.R. 1840 Agriculture Resilience Act (Includes Grazing Lands
Conservation Initiative) Democrat only co-sponsors

6. Other bills of interest
a. S. 732 / H.R. 1645 Biochar Research Network Act (Tester co-sponsor)
b. S. 52 American Beef Labeling Act (Tester co-sponsor)

1. Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance Farm Bill Policy Priorities (23 member steeringcommittee co-chaired by American Farm Bureau Federation)
2. Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) Recommendations
3. Western Landowners Alliance Farm Bill Platform
4. World Wildlife Federation (WWF) Recommendations for the 2023 Farm Bill Summary
5. Grazing Land Conservation Initiative 2023 Farm Bill Sign on Letter
6. Environmental Working Group (EWG) Farm Subsidy Database Subsidy and
Transparency issues
7. EWG Findings from Conservation Database on EQIP and CSP funding
8. American Farm Bureau Federation 2023 Farm Bill Priorities Outline
9. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Farm Bill Priorities Policy Book 2023
10. R-CALF USA 2023 Farm Bill Platform
11. Rural Voices for Conservation (RVCC) RVCC 2023 Farm Bill Recommendations for
Community-based and Collaborative Capacity
12. Central Grasslands Roadmap Farm Bill Priority Talking Points
13. The Nature Conservancy on FACA steering Committee #1