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SOIL Stewardship Act introduced in U.S. Senate

Legislation aimed at improving soil health and water quality has been introduced in the Senate.

Minnesota Democratic Senator Tina Smith says the Strengthening Our Investment in Land (SOIL) Stewardship Act would help farmers both create and maintain conservation plans by bolstering programs like EQUIP and CSP.

“Some of the feedback we’ve received from farmers and ranchers is that these are good tools that could work better together, and we’re trying to coordinate them a little better.  And also helping to make them more readily available to beginning farmers.”

A companion bill was introduced last month in the House by Minnesota Congressman Tim Walz (D).

Smith tells Brownfield her home state provides a good point-of-reference when discussing water quality on a national level.

“Farmers all over Minnesota care about this as much as anybody because this is the water they drink and it’s the water their kids and grandkids are fishing and swimming in.  And what they’re asking for is better tools to be able to protect water quality and also protect and improve the soil they rely on.”

The SOIL Stewardship Act would allow farmers to transition from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to enrollment in the Conservation Stewardship Program, which Smith says would encourage high-level conservation efforts.

 

 

 

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