By Scout Nelson
U.S. Senators Roger Marshall and Joni Ernst have introduced the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act, aiming to simplify and modernize how the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reviews and updates conservation practice standards. Both senators serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
This proposed legislation is designed to reduce delays and encourage innovation by ensuring the USDA keeps its conservation guidelines current and effective. One of the key features of the bill is a requirement for the USDA to regularly review existing standards.
In addition, the act would create a public process that allows new conservation practices to be submitted and considered. This aims to make it easier for updated and innovative methods to be officially recognized and adopted nationwide.
“Streamlining updates to conservation practice standards helps cut the bureaucratic red tape that our farmers have been wrongly forced to navigate,” said Sen. Marshall. “Our producers work hard to find new, innovative ways to work the land while conserving its resources and the federal government should be a partner in doing so—not a roadblock.”
The act places a strong focus on integrating modern technologies into conservation practices. These include nutrient efficiency tools such as biological fertilizers, which are already showing promising results in improving plant growth while preserving soil health.
The senators behind this bill believe the current USDA system is too slow to adapt to modern farming methods. They argue that by creating a more responsive and open system, farmers across the country will benefit from improved support and faster adoption of proven conservation techniques.
If passed, the Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act could mark a significant shift in how conservation tools are developed and implemented in U.S. agriculture.
Photo Credit:usda
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy