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1 1 (January 25, 2022)

handle is hein.crs/govefed0001 and id is 1 raw text is: r BCongressional Research Service Inforrning the legislative debate since 1914 Farm Bill Primer: Conservation Title 0 January 25, 2022 The conservation title of a farm bill generally contains reauthorizations, amendments, and new programs that encourage farmers and ranchers to voluntarily implement resource-conserving practices on private land. Starting in 1985, farm bills have broadened the conservation agenda to include addressing multiple natural resource concerns. Although the number of conservation programs has increased and techniques to address resource problems continue to emerge, the basic approach has remained unchanged: provide financial and technical assistance to implement conservation systems supported by education and research programs. As Congress begins the process of authorizing the next farm bill, areas of possible interest in the conservation title may include funding for programs, climate strategies for the agricultural sector, the backlog of unfunded applications, compliance provisions, and program flexibility. Conservation Program Portfolio Conservation programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and can be grouped into the following categories: working land programs, land retirement programs, easement programs, partnership and grant programs, and conservation compliance (see text box; and CRS Report R40763, Agricultural Conservation: A Guide to Programs). Other types of conservation programs-such as watershed programs, emergency land rehabilitation programs, and technical assistance-are authorized in other nonfarm-bill legislation. Most of these programs have permanent authorities and receive appropriations annually through the discretionary appropriations process. These programs generally are not addressed in farm bill legislation unless amendments to the program are proposed. Title II (Conservation) of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill; P.L. 115-334) reauthorized and amended portions of most conservation programs, though there was focus on the large-cost programs, namely the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Most farm bill conservation programs are authorized to receive mandatory funding (i.e., they do not require an annual appropriation) and include authorities that expire with other farm bill programs at the end of FY2023. For additional information on conservation programs in the 2018 farm bill, see CRS Report R45698, Agricultural Conservation in the 2018 Farm Bill. Funding for Conservation The conservation title is one of the larger non-nutrition titles of the farm bill, accounting for 7% of the total projected 2018 farm bill cost, or $60 billion of the total of $867 billion in 10-year mandatory funding it authorized (FY2019-FY2028). Spending for agricultural conservation programs generally has increased from $2.3 billion in FY2002 to over $5 billion in total outlays in FY2020. Annual outlays beyond the 2018 farm bill's expiration (FY2023) are projected to plateau above $6 billion (Figure 1), assuming programs are reauthorized with no changes. Selected Farm Bill Conservation Programs Working lands programs allow private land to remain in production while implementing various conservation practices to address natural resource concerns specific to the area. Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and Agricultural Management Assistance Land retirement programs provide payments to private agricultural landowners for temporary changes in land use and management to achieve environmental benefits. Conservation Reserve Program-includes Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Farmable Wetland Program, Clean Lakes Estuaries and Rivers Pilot (CLEAR30), Soil Health and Income Protection Program, and Transition Incentives Program Easement programs voluntarily impose a permanent or long- term restriction on land use in exchange for a payment. Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and Healthy Forests Reserve Program Partnership and grant programs use partnership agreements and grants to leverage program funding with nonfederal funding. * Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials, Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, Voluntary Public Access, and Habitat Incentive Program Conservation compliance prohibits a producer from receiving selected federal farm program benefits (including crop insurance premium subsidies) when conservation program requirements for highly erodible lands and wetlands are not met. Highly erodible land conservation (Sodbuster), wetland conservation (Swampbuster), and Sodsaver In addition to funding authorized in the 2018 farm bill, legislation before the 117th Congress would increase funding for selected conservation programs. For example, the House-passed Build Back Better Act (BBBA, H.R. 5376) would extend and increase funding for selected conservation programs, such as EQIP, CSP, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Regional Conservation Partnership Program, by more than $21 billion over 10 years (see CRS In Focus IF11988, Build Back Better Act: Agriculture and Forestry Provisions). This https://crsr

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