South Iowa News

Representatives Zach Nunn of Iowa and Lauren Underwood of Illinois have introduced the Strong Farms, Strong Futures Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at supporting sustainable agriculture through changes to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

According to Rep. Nunn, “Our farmers feed the nation and power our economy. They’re stewards of the land and are at the heart of what makes Iowa great. This bill gives farmers the tools and flexibility they need to protect their soil, boost productivity, and keep Iowa’s land strong for the next generation. It’s a commonsense, market-based approach that rewards conservation and family farming.”

The legislation is intended to encourage agricultural producers to use sustainable practices with an emphasis on improving soil health, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bill seeks to expand CSP by focusing on perennial production systems and climate mitigation strategies tailored for different types of farmland.

A key provision requires payments made under CSP to be adjusted for inflation so that compensation remains fair over time for participating farmers.

The Iowa Farm Bureau commented on the proposal: “This important legislation addresses longstanding challenges within the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that places undue burdens on farmers. By modernizing the CSP renewal process, it ensures that farmers’ conservation practices are recognized, supported, and prioritized through inflation-adjusted payments and other incentives. This approach also allows for greater flexibility in conservation practices and acknowledges the diverse regional variations across the country.” The statement further notes financial challenges faced by family farms in implementing conservation measures.

Sally Worley, Executive Director of Practical Farmers, stated: “Investment in conservation on farms is essential to the long-term viability of our farms and communities. This bill helps farmers make investments to increase the resiliency of their farms, which is crucial to the future of our farm and food systems.”

More details about the text of this bill can be found at https://nunn.house.gov/media/press-releases/nunn-introduces-bipartisan-strong-farms-strong-futures-act-promote-sustainable-agriculture.