Heinrich, Pingree Reintroduce Bill to Put Nation on Path to Net-Zero Agriculture Emissions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today reintroduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), comprehensive legislation that sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040.

"New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers’ livelihoods depend on the health of our land and water. They are also on the frontlines of the climate crisis and know all too well the effects that extreme weather events can have on their operations. Through regenerative agriculture and soil management, our producers can simultaneously make their land more resilient and play a large role in the fight against climate change," said Heinrich. "I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Pingree, an organic farmer of more than 40 years, to introduce the Agriculture Resilience Act, which sets a national goal of achieving net-zero emissions in agriculture by 2040 through farmer-led, science-based initiatives. This legislation will make ambitious investments to help our farmers and ranchers improve soil health, expand conservation programs, increase research into climate agricultural practices, and support on-farm renewable energy projects."

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues for farmers and our food system, which is why we must prioritize climate-smart solutions in the next Farm Bill. Across the U.S., farmers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis – dealing with severe drought, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather conditions. Challenges of this scale demand bold solutions. Unlike other industries, agriculture is unique in that crops can draw down carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil,” said Pingree. "As my Agriculture Committee colleagues and I negotiate the next Farm Bill, I will be fighting to give farmers more resources to tackle the climate crisis. My Agriculture Resilience Act aims to give farmers the tools they need to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. My landmark bill sets an ambitious but achievable goal: to reduce agricultural emissions 50% by 2030 and to reach net-zero by 2040.”

To reach net-zero agricultural emissions within the next 20 years, the ARA focuses on six concrete policy areas and offers solutions rooted in science that are farmer-driven. 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 Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Original House cosponsors of the Agriculture Resilience Act are Representatives Annie Kuster (D-N.H.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Natette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Jesús “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.), Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Betty McCollum (D-M.N.) Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Katie Porter (D-Calif.), and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.).

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

“Farmers and ranchers face distinct challenges in producing our nation’s food, fiber and fuel. Erratic weather and inconsistent precipitation make it increasingly difficult to operate a viable agricultural business,“ said Chad Franke, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President. “The good news is that no other industry has this level of opportunity to mitigate the harmful effects of human caused climate disruption. The Agriculture Resilience Act will help our producers respond to this changing climate and continue stewarding our precious natural resources. We thank Senator Heinrich for his leadership in bringing forward this vital piece of legislation.” 

“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.

Read what organizations are saying about the Agriculture Resilience Act.