Maine Representative Chellie Pingree introduced what she calls the “Ag Resilience Act,” which she says would promote “farmer-driven climate solutions.”
The bill envisions reaching a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by the year 2040.
“Farming has always been a risky business, but unpredictable, extreme weather patterns are creating immense challenges that threaten our nation’s food production and jeopardize the livelihood of American farmers,” Pingree says.
The Maine Rep has been an organic farmer for more than 40 years. “Last year, farmers were unable to plant 19.6 million acres of crops due to record-breaking rainfall,” she says.
“We must be proactive to keep farmers on the land and in business.”
The bill contains provisions for increasing agricultural research, improving soil health, and protecting farmland by increasing funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program and the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program.
The bill was endorsed by the National Farmers Union, the American Farmland Trust, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
