Heinrich, Pingree Lead Charge to Reach Net-Zero Emissions, Boost U.S. Agriculture

WASHINGTON— In celebration of Earth Day, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)  Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) reintroduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the American food and agriculture sector by 2040 by expanding climate and agriculture research, and improving  farmers' access to tools that allow them to increase their profits while sequestering carbon and reducing emissions.

“New Mexico’s agricultural producers and rural communities rely on the health of our land and water to sustain their families and communities. They are also the first to feel the impacts of climate change. That is why we need to provide our farmers and ranchers with new tools to not only protect their land and way of life, but also be part of the climate solution," said Heinrich. “I’m pleased to reintroduce the Agriculture Resilience Act, which sets a national goal of achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture by 2040 through farmer-led, science-based initiatives. I’ll continue working to bring our communities the tools they need to improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate-friendly agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects.”

“From historic droughts and wildfires to devastating floods and extreme weather, America’s farmers are directly impacted by the climate crisis,” said Pingree, a longtime organic farmer and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee. “With the Farm Bill in limbo and the Trump Administration actively undermining farmers’ interests, bold legislation like the Agriculture Resilience Act is more urgent than ever. These goals are ambitious—but they’re achievable. By helping farmers adopt practices that boost resilience and profitability, this bill charts a path to not only create a more sustainable future for America’s agriculture sector, but ensure greater economic viability for our farmers as well.”

To reach net-zero agricultural emissions within the next 15 years, the ARA focuses on six concrete policy areas—and solutions that are rooted in science. These goals include:

1. Increasing Research: The ARA would ensure existing agriculture research programs prioritize climate change research, increase funding for USDA’s Regional Climate Hubs, support public breed and cultivar research, and create a new SARE Agricultural and Food System Resilience Initiative for farmer and rancher research and demonstration grants.

2. Improving Soil Health: The ARA would create a new soil health grant program for state and tribal governments, authorize USDA to offer performance-based crop insurance discounts for practices that reduce climate risk, expand the National Agroforestry Center by authorizing three additional regional centers, and provide more technical assistance and flexibility in USDA conservation programs to support climate-smart practices.

3. Protecting existing farmland and supporting farm viability: ARA would increase funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program to help keep local farms profitable and create a new subprogram for farm viability and local climate resilience centers to help farmers reach new markets. The bill would also increase funding for the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program to make farmland affordable for the next generation.

4. Supporting pasture-based livestock systems: The ARA would create a new alternative manure management program to support an array of livestock methane management strategies and establish a new grant program to help small meat processors cover the costs associated with meeting federal inspection guidelines.

5. Boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives: The ARA would increase funding for the Rural Energy for America Program to prioritize low-emissions electrification projects and direct USDA to study dual-use renewable energy and cropping or livestock systems.

6. Reducing food waste: The ARA would standardize food date labels to reduce consumer confusion about the shelf life of foods, create a new USDA program to reduce food waste in schools, and increase federal support for food waste research and outreach, composting, and anaerobic digestion food waste-to-energy projects.

Original Senate cosponsors of the Agriculture Resilience Act are U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Original House cosponsors of the Agriculture Resilience Act are Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Betty McCollum (D.M.N.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.).

In New Mexico, the Agriculture Resilience Act has received the support of the New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group, Farm to Table – New Mexico, New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council, and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

“On behalf of the New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group, a grassroots education and advocacy organization, we commend Senator Heinrich for introducing and sponsoring the Agriculture Resilience Act. The Act is vital for our future by honoring farmers and ranchers, by investing in and incentivizing the health of the soil and by helping restore relationships with the land and each other,” said New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group

“America’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation—feeding, clothing, and fueling our country through hard work and determination,” said Chad Franke, President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. “Unpredictable weather and extreme conditions are a constant challenge in agriculture, and producers must be resilient to keep their operations strong and successful today and for future generations. The Agricultural Resilience Act gives producers the tools they need to better manage risk, protect natural resources, and secure the future of American agriculture. We appreciate Senator Heinrich’s leadership in supporting the farmers and ranchers who keep this country running and provide valuable conservation of our natural resources as well as feed our country.”

READ WHAT ORGANIZATIONS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE ARA.

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