Reaction from E2 Chair and Co-Founder Nicole Lederer
WASHINGTON (December 12, 2018) – A new soil health pilot program that E2 and a coalition of agriculture and environmental partners promoted for inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill will help advance low-carbon farming practices, addressing climate change while also driving ag-tech innovation and economic savings for American farmers.
Following is a statement from E2 Chair and Co-Founder Nicole Lederer:
“Not often does a Farm Bill include a project that is at the forefront of both agricultural and environmental policy. But that’s exactly what happened today.
“This first-of-its kind provision in the Farm Bill plants an important new seed for climate action while sending a clear market signal for entrepreneurs to innovate and invest in the expanding ag-tech sector. The soil health pilot program is an exciting example of what can be achieved when groups with diverse perspectives work constructively together with lawmakers.”
During the Farm Bill draft process, E2 helped organize and lead a unique group of coalition partners that included the National Corn Growers Association, the American Coalition for Ethanol, Minnesota Farmers Union, and the Natural Resources Defense Council to develop the structure of the pilot program that will be housed under U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
The Farm Bill provision, pushed for inclusion by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and supported by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Committee Leadership, provides tools and funding to incentivize farmers to adopt smart soil management practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops and crop rotation that help sequester carbon.
In turn, these provisions will create potential new revenue streams for American farmers to sell credits through carbon markets or participate in other carbon reduction programs, while reducing operating costs on their farms.
E2 member and South Dakota farmer Keith Alverson, who also is on the board of the National Corn Growers Association, said:
“As a farmer, I have seen the benefits of these practices on my own farm and look forward to working with USDA to document these environmental values on a larger scale.”
For more information or to speak to Lederer, Alverson or others at E2, please contact Michael Timberlake at (202) 289-2407, mtimberlake@e2.org.
Additional Resources:
- New Farm Bill Promotes Healthy Soils and a Healthier Climate | E2 Experts Blog – December 12, 2018
- Farm Bill Soil Health Provisions Will Help Farmers, Environment | E2 Statement – June 13, 2018
- UN Climate Report: A Call to Action | E2 Experts Blog – October 11, 2018
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.