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Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and all Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee today wrote to Chair Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) urging that the nearly $20 billion of conservation funding passed in the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) be used only for its intended purpose in the upcoming Farm Bill. The Democratic lawmakers said the IRA “was intended to go towards climate smart conservation, and it would ultimately be a disservice to American farmers should these funds go elsewhere.”

“Historic investment in conservation will benefit all farmers, and the authorized climate-smart practices will improve water quality, soil health, and habitat preservation on farms across the country. At a time when farmers are facing a torrent of climate related disasters, it is more important than ever to provide the resources that enable farmers to remain profitable and resilient,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding will make an historic investment in farmers from all regions and give them the resources needed to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The evidence is clear that these investments are necessary and in demand,” they continued.

The full letter is available here and copied below.

The IRA, championed by House Democrats and signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, represents the single largest investment in climate and clean energy solutions in American history. The IRA provides an additional $19.5 billion over five years to support USDA’s conservation programs that yield climate change mitigation benefits. 

Pingree has been an organic farmer since the 1970s and is a recognized national policy leader on sustainable food and farming. As a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, Pingree continues to be a vocal advocate for agriculture and food policy reform. Because of her leadership, the 2018 Farm Bill more than doubled funding for organic research, created the first federal produce prescription program, and created the local agriculture market program with permanent federal funding.

Pingree is the author of the Agriculture Resilience Act, comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040.

In addition to the Agriculture Committee, Pingree is the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which she chaired in the 117th Congress. 

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Dear Chair Thompson and Ranking Member Scott,

As you negotiate the 2023 Farm Bill, we urge you to ensure that the nearly $20 billion provided in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is used for its intended purpose. Historic investment in conservation will benefit all farmers, and the authorized climate-smart practices will improve water quality, soil health, and habitat preservation on farms across the country. At a time when farmers are facing a torrent of climate related disasters, it is more important than ever to provide the resources that enable farmers to remain profitable and resilient.  

The Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding will make an historic investment in farmers from all regions and give them the resources needed to adapt to and mitigate climate change. The evidence is clear that these investments are necessary and in demand.

• Current demand for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) far exceeds the available funding. The IRA provides a critical expansion of these programs that farmers want and use.
• Conservation resources are available to and benefit all farmers.
•  Almost half of CSP and EQIP payments since 2020 went to climate-smart practices, meaning the practices that the IRA supports are in demand across the country.
•  The climate-smart programs in the IRA are supported by more than 1,700 farm groups, companies, environmental advocates, leading economists, local elected officials and municipalities, and trade associations.  
•  Three out of four CSP applicants are turned away due to inadequate funding; moving the IRA funds from conservation would be denying farmers the support they need and want.

 The Inflation Reduction Act was intended to go towards climate smart conservation, and it would ultimately be a disservice to American farmers should these funds go elsewhere. We implore you to keep the funds for their intended purpose and provide the resources farmers need. 

Thank you for your time and attention to this critical issue. We are hopeful that we can keep the Inflation Reduction Act funds dedicated to a robust set of practices and programs that serve farmers across the nation.

Sincerely,

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