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American Farmland Trust releases farm bill white papers

New reports from American Farmland Trust outline conservation priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.

Conservation and Climate Policy Manager Samantha Levy tells Brownfield, “In addition to making recommendations to continue to support NRCS programs, we’re looking to create a new program in the farm bill to provide some matching funding for state and tribal soil health programs that fit that bill and fill the gaps.”

The organization says with $100 million per year of funding, the Match Program would be able to double dollars for many programs and build on grassroots momentum.

Levy says conservation program access could also be improved.

“Things like making the application ranking process happen more quickly, providing entry-level applications for small-scale producers, and particularly when it comes to equitable implementation of programs, streamlining is so important,” she says.

The organization also wants Congress to establish an Office of Small Farms at USDA.