WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has recently signed an Executive Order designed to advance U.S. farmers usage of regenerative agriculture practices.
Regenerative agriculture is an interconnected farming approach to assist with environmental and sustainability efforts to restore soil health and strengthen ecosystems, while also being mindful of future productivity.
“American farmers and ranchers have always prioritized care of their land and are increasingly interested in adopting innovative conservation farming practices like regenerative agriculture,” Trump said in the White House’s announcement. “These practices strengthen soil health, lower input costs, improve chemical efficiency to reduce overall use, improve farm profitability, maintain yields, increase market value, expand access to new markets, and strengthen rural economies.”
Trump added that it’s, “the policy of the United States to promote continued advances in precision agriculture technologies; significantly increase Federal investment in regenerative agriculture practices, research and education; and spur private-sector innovation in farm modernization by reducing red tape and strengthening public-private partnerships.”
Following the White House’s announcement, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins also announced a final Regenerative Feedstock Rule from the agriculture department. The USDA’s rule will, “put farmers, not Washington bureaucrats, in the driver’s seat,” Rollins said.
“Instead of mandates, we’re creating marketing opportunities,” Rollins added in her announcement. “Farmers who choose to implement regenerative practices will have new opportunities to earn premium prices, lower their input costs, improve soil health, and strengthen the long-term profitability of their operations. This is exactly what President Trump’s America First agenda looks like: empowering farmers and ranchers, supporting rural communities, driving lower input costs, improving farmer profitability, advancing regenerative agriculture, and helping Make America Healthy Again.”
This USDA rule gives a framework to connect practices and markets that exist within the biofuel chain of corn, soybean, sorghum and spring canola producers. The department adds that U.S. corn farmers produce about 6 billion bushels of corn used for ethanol every year, and that 68 percent of U.S. corn farmers use at least one regenerative practice. It added that U.S. soybean farmers grow approximately 1.8 billion bushels of soybeans for biofuel every year, and that about 70 percent of soybean farmers also use at least one regenerative practice.
USDA also notes that through its Regenerative Pilot Program, which has provided about $700 million for U.S. farmers to adopt regenerative practices, it has, “completed over 67,000 whole farm conservation plans, covering more than 49 million acres and over 1,500 conservation contracts worth more than $200 million.”
Reaction
Since these announcements, several government officials and agricultural associations have voiced their support for the initiatives.
“We appreciate the administration’s recognition of the value biofuels provide for our country’s energy supply and security. For decades, corn farmers have provided a renewable, domestically produced energy source for our nation’s drivers and we are ready to provide even more for many years to come,” Jed Bower, National Corn Growers Association president, said. “We also appreciate the administration’s recognition that farmers have always cared for their land. This is true of every farmer I know. As noted by USDA, it’s also true we have embraced for years many practices that are considered regenerative, with nearly 70 percent already implementing at least one practice.”
The American Soybean Association, in a release, also noted its approval.
“ASA applauds Secretary Rollins and USDA for finalizing the Regenerative Feedstock Rule, which will unlock a new premium soybean market by empowering farmers to produce value-added biofuel feedstocks using on-farm conservation practices,” Scott Metzger, ASA president, said.
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said, “The new Regenerative Feedstock Rule from USDA allows Kansas farmers to profit from the soil health practices that many already use on their operations — built on market opportunity, not government mandates. That’s putting Farmers First and exactly where MAHA meets ag.”
“USDA new Regenerative Feedstock Rule is welcome news,” U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) said. “It puts the 45Z tax credit Congress passed to work, helping create new market opportunities for producers who qualify and opening the door to premium biofuel markets for crops grown here in North Carolina. North Carolina’s farmers don’t need more bureaucracy. They need more customers, stronger markets, and more ways to earn from the work they’re already doing.”
The Iowa Corn Growers Association added that its producers have a history of implementing conservation practices.
“This new rule is an important step forward, and we believe it will help jumpstart opportunities for growers who are committed to doing what’s right for the land and the environment, while being recognized for their efforts,” Mark Mueller, ICGA president, said in a statement. “Looking ahead, ICGA looks forward to collaborating with the USDA to maximize the opportunities this rule creates for farmers across Iowa.”
“Our family farmers are the foundation of healthy food and health soil,” U.S. Rep. James Gallagher (R-Calif.) said. “The announcement of this program is the key to supporting our farmers, improving the vitality of our farmland, and producing healthy food for America.”
