The Farm Bill has included conservation programs since its beginning, as the first Farm Bill was a legislative solution to the unsound agricultural practices that resulted in the Dust Bowl. The USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) oversees much of the Farm Bill’s current conservation programming, with a few programs administered by the Farm Service Administration (FSA).
What does conservation look like in Indian Country, and why is it important?
Lands across Indian Country suffer from lack of conservation. This is due to a few reasons, including programs not fitting the unique needs of Tribal agriculture lands.
This is a living resource, and IFAI will update as new information arises.
Marker Bills Regarding Conservation
Senate
This bill makes composting a conservation practice and activity for purposes of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. The bill also requires USDA to establish a competitive program to award grants and loan guarantees for projects that expand access to food waste composting.
S. 231- Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023
This bill amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to remove barriers to agricultural producers in accessing funds to carry out emergency measures under the emergency conservation program.
S. 1016- Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023
“USDA must finalize and implement a plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the sector by 2040, periodically reviewing and revising the plan as necessary, and annually reporting on its implementation.
The bill expands the scope of various USDA research, extension, and education programs; conservation programs; and livestock programs to incorporate climate change adaption and mitigation. Expanded activities include efforts to improve soil health and preserve farmland and grassland.
The bill provides statutory authority for a program aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock waste that is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency and transitions the program to USDA.
The bill also addresses food waste by (1) standardizing the voluntary labels used by food producers to indicate the date by which food should be used or discarded, and (2) making composting activities eligible for support through USDA conservation programs.
The bill establishes grants to reduce and prevent food waste in landfills and in schools.”
S. 2385- Tribal Access to Clean Water Act
The bill expands Tribal access to clean water by investing in water infrastructure. This bill also increases funding through Indian Health Service, Bureau of Reclamation, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency to address the significant backlog of water infrastructure projects in tribal communities.
S. 1998 Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act
This bill seeks to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to include Indian Tribes in certain provisions relating to priority resource concerns. (see HR 5503)
S. 2077- The Acequia Communities Empowered by Qualifying Upgrades for Infrastructure Act
This bill ensures that Tribal producers who rely on acequia systems have access to drought protections. The bill also removes special use permit requirements for routine maintenance and minor improvements of acequias.
S. 231- Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023
This bill amends the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 to remove barriers to agricultural producers in accessing funds to carry out emergency measures under the emergency conservation program.
This bill makes composting a conservation practice and activity for purposes of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. The bill also requires USDA to establish a competitive program to award grants and loan guarantees for projects that expand access to food waste composting.
S.697, Treating Tribes and Counties as Good Neighbors Act
This bill revises the Good Neighbor Authority program to modify the treatment of revenue from timber sale contracts under good neighbor agreements with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior. (The Good Neighbor Authority permits USDA and Interior to enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with states, counties, and Indian tribes to perform forest, rangeland, and watershed restoration services on federal land managed by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management.)
S.2023, Seeds and Breeds of the Future Act
Incorporate key language from the Native American Seeds Protection Act of 2019 and the Seeds and Breeds of the Future Act to require Tribal consultation and engagement with Tribal institutions regarding the protection of seeds and other related activities.
S.1998, Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act
By amending the definition of “Priority Resource Concerns” to include Tribes, Indian Country’s natural resource needs will more adequately apply NRCS funding.
House
This bill makes composting a conservation practice and activity for purposes of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. The bill also requires USDA to establish a competitive program to award grants and loan guarantees for projects that expand access to food waste composting.
This bill directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the Department of Agriculture to carry out a study and make recommendations regarding conservation practices on leased agricultural land. The study must (1) address issues such as participation in conservation programs and barriers to adopting conservation practices; and (2) be carried out with particular consideration of farmers and ranchers who are people of color, including Black and indigenous farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers.
H.R. 1840- The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023
“USDA must finalize and implement a plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the sector by 2040, periodically reviewing and revising the plan as necessary, and annually reporting on its implementation.
The bill expands the scope of various USDA research, extension, and education programs; conservation programs; and livestock programs to incorporate climate change adaption and mitigation. Expanded activities include efforts to improve soil health and preserve farmland and grassland.
The bill provides statutory authority for a program aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock waste that is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency and transitions the program to USDA.
The bill also addresses food waste by (1) standardizing the voluntary labels used by food producers to indicate the date by which food should be used or discarded, and (2) making composting activities eligible for support through USDA conservation programs.
The bill establishes grants to reduce and prevent food waste in landfills and in schools.”
H.R. 5503 Tribal Priorities Inclusion Act
This bill seeks amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to include Indian Tribes in certain provisions relating to priority resource concerns.
This bill makes composting a conservation practice and activity for purposes of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. The bill also requires USDA to establish a competitive program to award grants and loan guarantees for projects that expand access to food waste composting.
This bill directs the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the Department of Agriculture to carry out a study and make recommendations regarding conservation practices on leased agricultural land.The study must (1) address issues such as participation in conservation programs and barriers to adopting conservation practices; and (2) be carried out with particular consideration of farmers and ranchers who are people of color, including Black and indigenous farmers and ranchers, and beginning farmers and ranchers.
H.R. 1840- The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2023
USDA must finalize and implement a plan to achieve net-zero emissions from the sector by 2040, periodically reviewing and revising the plan as necessary, and annually reporting on its implementation.
The bill expands the scope of various USDA research, extension, and education programs; conservation programs; and livestock programs to incorporate climate change adaption and mitigation. Expanded activities include efforts to improve soil health and preserve farmland and grassland.
H.R. 3955- The Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act
This bill expands upon the Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program, created by the 2018 Farm Bill to support underserved producers. The bill would make grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, Tribal governments among others to strengthen land, capital, and market access for historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest owners and for producers operating in high-poverty areas.
H.R.5381 – RNGR Support Act of 2023
The Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources Support Act of 2023 (RNGR Support Act of 2023) provides grant opportunities for Tribal nurseries to start and/or expand nursery infrastructure, equipment and operations. Authorizes U.S. Forest Service to partner with Tribes and states to provide training, technical assistance, and research to nursery and tree establishment programs that support natural regeneration, reforestation, agroforestry, and afforestation.