House coalition releases farm bill climate change recommendations

Expansion of USDA conservation programs and more research on mushrooms and biochar are among a broad range of policy recommendations in a report from the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition.

The coalition's ag task force, led by co-chairs Kim Schrier of Washington and Chellie Pingree, say in a letter to the House Ag Committee that the report identifies "opportunities within the Farm Bill to further tackle the climate crisis."

Among the specifics: Make greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon sequestration a purpose of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program; add soil health enhancement and GHG emission reduction to the criteria for ranking proposals for entry into the Conservation Stewardship Program, and add GHG emission reduction and carbon sequestration to the list of the top 10 practices that can qualify for higher EQIP payment rates.

Keep in mind:Democrats will be in the minority when House Ag starts work on the next farm bill.