With agriculture being at the front lines of climate change, farmers are an important part of the equation when improving conservation practice standards. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking to improve these standards by requesting public input on mitigation and practice standards. George Henshaw, Illinois State Resource Conservationist says the information they collect will help identify and prioritize improvements for fiscal year 2026.
“USDA is asking for public input on how conservation practice standards may be improved to maximize climate change mitigation and adapt patient benefits as supported by peer review scientific literature,”explains Henshaw.
He adds these practices can be delivered through already existing programs.
“Like the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Conservation Technical Assistance. These programs are funded through both the inflation Reduction Act and the Farm Bill.”
Henshaw adds that public comment can be made until December 23, 2024, by submitting it online at regulations.gov, or by mail to the NRCS Climate Office.
