Neguse, Davis Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Invest in Regenerative Agriculture Research

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO), a member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) introduced bipartisan legislation which would provide federal support for sustainable agriculture and soil research through the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) program. The Sustainable Agriculture Research Act, would amend the legislation authorizing AGARDA to add goals that explicitly address carbon sequestration and reduction of emissions.

"America's farmers and ranchers can be active partners in solving the climate crisis by sequestering carbon in their soils and adopting regenerative climate stewardship practices," said Congressman Joe Neguse. "Many Colorado farmers in Boulder and Fort Collins are already taking innovative approaches to help tackle the climate crisis through carbon sequestration. The bipartisan Sustainable Agriculture Research Act will provide federal support and research so we can scale these cutting edge initiatives nationwide. It's a bipartisan and common-sense solution for tackling the climate crisis."

"This bill will promote innovative and voluntary sustainability solutions to protect agriculture," said Congressman Rodney Davis. "We should be on the cutting edge of research and development when it comes to carbon storage technology, voluntary sequestration, and renewable energy production on farms across Illinois and our nation. I'm glad to join with my colleague Rep. Neguse to introduce this important legislation."

"Congressman Neguse's draft legislation is a critical foundation piece in a comprehensive approach to stabilizing climate," said Brett KenCairn, Senior Policy Advisor for Climate and Resilience for the City of Boulder. "The recent IPCC 1.5deg report was a wake up call to the essential role of natural sequestration solutions. The City of Boulder and Boulder County have both launched soil carbon sequestration and urban forestry initiatives designed to accelerate the development of land-based sequestration approaches. These approaches are especially important because they not only contribute to reducing carbon in the atmosphere, they can also significantly improve local community resilience to climatic extremes. We will need policy support at both the State and National level to take these and other promising sequestration efforts to scale rapidly enough to address the intensifying impacts of climate change. We are encouraged by Congressman Neguse's leadership in this area."

"Rocky Mountain Farmers Union's grassroots policy supports the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices that enhance environmental quality, and make the most efficient use of nonrenewable and on-farm resources," said Dr. Dale McCall, President of the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. "Our members also prioritize actions to sustain the economic viability of farm operations, enhance the quality of life for farmers and society, and where appropriate, integrate natural biological cycles and controls to protect the resource base on which agriculture depends. RMFU encourages long-term research, development and advancement in production methods focused on soil health. We are encouraged by Representative Neguse's leadership in addressing these issues with this vital legislation."

In establishing this proposal, Congressman Neguse toured the Golden Hoof Farm, McCauley Family Farm and worked with researchers at Colorado State University and University of Colorado Boulder, as well as Mad Ag, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union and Young Farmers Coalition.

Background:

As a member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Congressman Neguse secured Colorado as the location of the Committee's first and only official field hearing. A bipartisan delegation from the Committee traveled to Boulder, Colorado in August 2019 to tour federal labs, speak with local scientists and hear testimony from local and state officials leading on clean energy and environmental sustainability. Over one third of the 55 bills Congressman Neguse introduced in his first term address the climate crisis, preservation of public lands and environmental sustainability. In July 2020, the Committee released its national climate action plan, a comprehensive roadmap for the Congress to address climate change. Ten of Congressman Neguse's proposals were included in the report, including the CORE Act, and his proposals to expand clean energy, safeguard climate science, invest in regenerative agriculture research and natural solutions, build resilient communities and bring Colorado's commitment to sustainability to the nation's capital. Learn more about the report and the Colorado Climate Way here. Congressman Neguse also traveled to Madrid, Spain with Speaker Pelosi for COP25 to assure the world of America's commitment to climate action.

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