Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve access to voluntary farm conservation programs administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Kuster’s bill, the Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act, would reform current law that inadvertently prevents many small farmers from participating in programs with cost-share payments. Cost-share payments help farmers afford the cost of implementing conservation measures.

“New Hampshire has a proud history of farming and conservation, and I am pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will help our local farmers to preserve their farmland without sacrificing their bottom line,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Under the current law, small farmers who organize themselves as a business for tax and liability purposes are unfairly caught up in an annual reporting regulation that is time consuming, difficult to navigate and costly to comply. My bill would lift this burdensome regulation, ensuring that small farmers are not unduly harmed by the current annual reporting statutes. I thank Congressman Rick Crawford for joining me in the introduction of our bill, and I urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass it swiftly.”

Across the country, thousands of farmers and ranchers voluntarily participate in the wide range of conservation programs that are offered through NRCS. NRCS is an agency within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers as a means of improving conservation practices on farms in all 50 states and territories.  Programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) focus on planning and implementing conservation measures that improve soil, water and plant quality on agricultural land. EQIP can also help producers meet Federal, State and local environmental regulations.

Many of NRCS’ programs offer a cost-share payment which helps farmers with the cost of implementing these conservation measures. Kuster’s Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act would cut administrative red tape and lift a burdensome regulation that acts as a barrier to entry for NRCS contracts.

A member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Kuster has long fought for federal measures that support small, family farms like those located throughout New Hampshire.

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