SOIL Stewardship Act

To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to land stewardship, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Our Investment in Land Stewardship Act SOIL Stewardship Act 2. Common provisions and program coordination Subchapter A of chapter 2 of subtitle D of title XII of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3838 A Common Provisions and Program Coordination 1238. Common provisions and program coordination (a) Common provisions (1) Streamlining and coordination To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall provide for streamlined and coordinated procedures for the conservation stewardship program and the environmental quality incentives program, including applications, contracting, conservation planning, conservation practices, and related administrative procedures. (2) Soil health To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall manage the conservation stewardship program and the environmental quality incentives program to enhance soil health and build soil carbon. (3) Wildlife habitat To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall allocate at least 10 percent of funding for the conservation stewardship program and environmental quality incentives program to support conservation activities benefitting wildlife habitat. (4) Organic systems (A) In general The Secretary shall provide for a funding allocation for both the conservation stewardship program and the environmental quality incentives program to support organic production and transition to organic production. (B) Considerations In determining the funding allocation described in paragraph (A), the Secretary shall take into consideration each State’s certified organic acres and transitioning organic acres and the State trend line for each. (5) Balance To the maximum extent feasible, the Secretary shall provide balanced treatment for crop and livestock production systems in the allocation of contracts for the conservation stewardship program and the environmental quality incentives program. (6) Active engagement The Secretary shall promulgate regulations that require participants in the conservation stewardship program and the environmental quality incentives program to be actively engaged in farming or ranching. (b) Program coordination The Secretary shall coordinate management of the conservation stewardship program and environmental quality incentives program in a manner to facilitate the opportunity for a participant enrolled in the environmental quality incentives program but not yet qualified to enroll in the conservation stewardship program to subsequently enroll in the conservation stewardship program once they have met the stewardship threshold for at least two priority resource concerns. 1239. Definitions For purposes of the conservation stewardship program subchapter B of chapter 2 and the environmental quality incentives program under chapter 4: (1) Agricultural operation The term agricultural operation (A) under the effective control of a producer at the time the producer enters into a contract under the program; and (B) operated with equipment, labor, management, and production or cultivation practices that are substantially separate from other agricultural operations, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Comprehensive conservation plan The term comprehensive conservation plan (A) identifies resources of concern, inventories resources, and establishes benchmark data and stewardship objectives; (B) formulates and evaluates alternative approaches to meeting stewardship objectives for all resources of concern; (C) selects among the alternatives and details the particular conservation systems, practices, activities, and management measures to be implemented, maintained, or improved that will enable the producer to meet stewardship objectives for all resources of concern; (D) contains a schedule for the planning, installing, maintaining, improving, and managing the selected conservation systems, practices, activities, and management measures; and (E) contains a description and schedule for on-farm activities to assess and evaluate the conservation systems, practices, activities, and management measures described in the comprehensive conservation plan. (3) Conservation activities (A) In general The term conservation activities (B) Inclusions The term conservation activities (i) structural measures, vegetative measures, and land management measures, as determined by the Secretary; (ii) planning needed to address a priority resource concern; and (iii) development of a comprehensive conservation plan. (4) Eligible land (A) In general The term eligible land (i) private or tribal land on which agricultural commodities, livestock, or forest-related products are produced; and (ii) lands associated with the land described in clause (i) on which priority resource concerns could be addressed through a contract under the program. (B) Inclusions The term eligible land (i) cropland; (ii) grassland; (iii) rangeland; (iv) pasture land; (v) nonindustrial private forest land; and (vi) other land in agricultural areas (including cropped woodland, marshes, and agricultural land used or capable of being used for the production of livestock), on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed through a contract under the program, as determined by the Secretary. (5) Priority resource concern The term priority resource concern (A) is identified at the national, State, or local level as a priority for a particular area of a State; (B) represents a significant concern in a State or region; and (C) is likely to be addressed successfully through the implementation of conservation activities under this program. (6) Stewardship threshold The term stewardship threshold (A) the resource management system quality criteria; (B) predictive tools; (C) data from past and current program enrollments; and (D) other similar means to measure conservation and improvement of the priority resource concern. . 3. CSP definitions Section 1238D of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3838d 1238D. Definitions In this subchapter: (1) Conservation stewardship plan The term conservation stewardship plan (A) identifies and inventories priority resource concerns; (B) establishes benchmark data and conservation objectives; (C) describes conservation activities to be implemented, managed, or improved; and (D) includes a schedule and evaluation plan for the planning and installation of new conservation activities and the active management of new and existing conservation activities. (2) Program The term program . 4. Conservation stewardship program Section 1238E of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3838e (1) in subsection (a), by striking 2018 2023 (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking the Agricultural Act of 2014 the SOIL Stewardship Act 5. Stewardship contracts Section 1238F of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3838f (1) in subsection (b), by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: (1) Ranking of applications (A) In general In evaluating contract offers submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall rank applications based on— (i) the level of natural resource and environmental benefits resulting from existing conservation treatment on all applicable priority resource concerns at the time of application; and (ii) the degree to which the proposed conservation activities effectively increase natural resource and environmental benefits. (B) Tie breaker In the event of a tie in ranking scores between two or more applications, the Secretary shall rank applications based on the extent to which the actual and anticipated conservation natural resource and environmental benefits from the contract are provided at the least cost relative to other similarly beneficial contract offers. ; and (2) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (4), by adding at the end the following: (C) New acreage If, after entering into a contract, a producer adds new acreage to the agricultural operation, the producer may elect to add the acreage to the stewardship contract during the term of the current stewardship contract, if the Secretary determines the additional acreage and conservation treatment of those acres increases the natural resource and environmental benefits of the contract. ; and (B) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows: (6) Contract renewal At the end of each 5-year contract period, the Secretary may allow the producer to renew the contract for additional 5-year periods if the producer— (A) demonstrates compliance with the terms of the previous contract; (B) agrees to adopt new or improved conservation activities across the entire agricultural operation, demonstrating continual improvement, as determined by the Secretary; and (C) agrees, by the end of the contract period— (i) to plan, install, maintain, and actively manage such conservation activities that allow the producer to meet or exceed the stewardship threshold of at least 2 additional priority resource concerns; or (ii) to adopt or improve such conservation activities as the Secretary determines to be necessary to achieve higher levels of performance with respect to at least 2 existing priority resource concerns specified by the Secretary in the initial contract. . 6. Duties of the Secretary Section 1238G of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3838g (1) in subsection (a)(2), by striking not less than 5 (2) in subsection (c)(2)— (A) by striking $18 $23 (B) by inserting , including supplemental payments under subsection (e), payments for cover crop activities under subsection (d), and payments for comprehensive conservation planning under subsection (f) financial assistance (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking , to the maximum extent practicable, (B) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively; (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Payments for cover crop activities Any annual payment provided by the Secretary under this subchapter that is for a cover crop activity, as determined by the Secretary, shall be in an amount that is at least 125 percent of the amount that would have been paid under paragraph (2). (4) Minimum payment A payment to a producer under this subsection shall not be less than $1,500 per year. ; and (D) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by subparagraph (B), by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: (A) calculate and provide payments for existing activities, additional activities, and supplemental payments, as described under subsection (e); ; (4) by amending subsection (e) to read as follows: (e) Supplemental payments for resource-Conserving crop rotations, and managed intensive rotational grazing (1) Availability of payments The Secretary shall provide additional payments to producers that, in participating in the program, agree to adopt, manage, and maintain, or improve, manage, and maintain— (A) resource-conserving crop rotations; or (B) managed intensive rotational grazing. (2) Eligibility To be eligible to receive a payment described in paragraph (1), a producer shall agree to adopt, manage, and maintain or improve, maintain, and manage, resource-conserving crop rotations, or managed intensive rotational grazing for the term of the contract. (3) Minimum payment Supplemental payments shall not be less than $20 per acre. (4) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Managed intensive rotational grazing The term managed intensive rotational grazing (i) maximize the quantity and quality of forage growth; (ii) improve manure distribution and nutrient cycling; (iii) increase carbon sequestration from greater forage harvest; (iv) improve the quality and quantity of cover for wildlife; (v) provide permanent cover to protect the soil from erosion; and (vi) improve water quality. (B) Resource-conserving crop rotation The term resource-conserving crop rotation (i) includes at least 1 resource-conserving crop (as defined by the Secretary); (ii) reduces erosion; (iii) improves soil fertility and tilt; (iv) interrupts pest cycles; (v) builds soil carbon; and (vi) in applicable areas, reduces depletion of soil moisture or otherwise reduces the need for irrigation. ; (5) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) as subsections (g), (h), (i), and (j), respectively; (6) by inserting after subsection (e) the following: (f) Payment for comprehensive conservation planning In the case of a producer who develops and implements a comprehensive conservation plan to address all priority resource concerns in a manner that meets or exceeds the stewardship thresholds, a payment for planning shall be between $1,000 and $3,000 per year. The payment shall be set on a sliding scale, determined by the following factors: (1) The number of resource concerns addressed in the comprehensive conservation plan. (2) The number of eligible land use types included in the operation. ; (7) in subsection (g), as redesignated by paragraph (5)— (A) by inserting , including joint operations, legal entity (B) by striking in the aggregate when combined with payments for management practices under the environmental quality incentives program (C) by striking 2018 2023 (8) by amending subsection (i), as redesignated by paragraph (5), to read as follows: (i) Organic certification (1) Coordination The Secretary shall establish a coordinated, user-friendly, and transparent means by which producers may initiate or maintain organic certification under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1900 ( 7 U.S.C. 6501 (2) Transition The Secretary shall establish suites of organic transition conservation activities to be available through the program. ; and (9) in subsection (j), as redesignated by paragraph (5)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; (B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), the following: (1) require participants in the program to be actively engaged in farming or ranching; ; and (C) in paragraph (2), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking subsection (f) subsection (g) 7. Environmental Quality Incentives Program Section 1240(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa(4) livestock, pest or irrigation management crops and livestock, pest management, or irrigation management 8. EQIP definitions Section 1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–1 1240A. Definitions In this chapter: (1) Payment The term payment (A) incurred costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training; (B) income forgone by the producer; and (C) expected conservation benefit. (2) Management practice The term practice (A) improvements to eligible land of the producer, including— (i) land management practices; (ii) vegetative practices; (iii) forest management; and (iv) other practices that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the program; and (B) the development of plans appropriate for the eligible land of the producer, including— (i) comprehensive nutrient management planning; (ii) comprehensive conservation planning; and (iii) other plans that the Secretary determines would further the purposes of the program under this chapter. (3) Development practice The term development practice (4) Program The term program . 9. Establishment and administration Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2 (1) in subsection (a), by striking 2019 2023 (2) in subsection (b)(2), by striking 10 years 5 years (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: (A) (i) for practices that are not development practices, 75 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training; or (ii) for development practices, except as provided in subsection (h)(3), 50 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, materials, installation, management, maintenance, or training; ; and (B) in paragraph (4)— (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: (A) (i) for practices that are not development practices, to not more than 90 percent of the costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training; or (ii) for development practices, to not more than 75 percent of the costs associated with the planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor management, maintenance, or training; ; and (ii) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking may be provided shall be provided (4) in subsection (h)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking water conservation or irrigation practice water-conserving irrigation practice (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: (2) Priority In providing payments to a producer for a development practice that is a water conservation or irrigation practice, the Secretary shall give priority to applications in which— (A) consistent with the law of the State in which the eligible land of the producer is located, the producer agrees to reduce water use in its operations; or (B) the producer agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land, other than incidental land needed for efficient operations, under irrigated production, unless the producer is participating in a watershed-wide project that will effectively conserve water, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Payment rate Applications given priority under paragraph (2) shall be subject to the payment rate described in paragraph (2)(A)(i). ; and (5) in subsection (i)— (A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: (2) Eligibility requirements As a condition for receiving payments under this subsection, a producer shall agree to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with the regulations promulgated under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 ( 7 U.S.C. 6501 ; and (B) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively. 10. Limitation on payments Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3839aa–7 1240G. Limitation on payments (a) Total payments A person or legal entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments under this chapter and chapter 2 that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all contracts entered into under this chapter and chapter 2 by the person or entity during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, regardless of the number of contracts entered into under this chapter by the person or entity. (b) Management payments A person or legal entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments under the management component of this chapter and chapter 2 that, in aggregate, exceed $200,000 for all contracts entered into under the management component of this chapter and chapter 2 by the person or entity during the period of fiscal years 2019 through 2023, regardless of the number of contracts entered into under this chapter by the person or entity. . 11. Commodity Credit Corporation Section 1241 of the Food Security Act of 1985 ( 16 U.S.C. 3841 (1) in subsection (a)(5), by striking practicable— practicable, $1,750,000,000 for each fiscal year through fiscal year 2023, including not less than $500,000,000 each fiscal year for management activities that assist producers protecting sources of drinking water. (2) in subsection (h)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2009 through 2018 2019 through 2023 (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 5 percent 15 percent (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 5 percent 15 percent (B) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; (C) after paragraph (1), by inserting the following: (2) Wildlife Of the funds made available for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out the environmental quality incentives program and the acres made available for each of such fiscal years to carry out the conservation stewardship program, the Secretary shall use at least 10 percent for conservation activities that support the restoration, development, protection, and improvement of wildlife habitat on eligible land, including— (A) upland wildlife habitat; (B) wetland wildlife habitat; (C) habitat for threatened and endangered species; (D) fish habitat; (E) wildlife habitat on pivot corners and other irregular areas of a field; and (F) other types of wildlife habitat, as determined by the Secretary. (3) Organic Of the funds made available for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out the environmental quality incentives program and the acres made available for each of such fiscal years to carry out the conservation stewardship program, the Secretary shall allocate funding to the States to support organic production and the transition to organic production, to be determined by each State’s— (A) certified and transitioning organic operations; (B) organic acreage; and (C) 2016 organic and transitioning participation within the environmental quality incentives program. ; (D) in paragraph (4) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking paragraph (1) paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) (E) in paragraph (5) (as redesignated by subparagraph (B)), by striking paragraph (1) paragraphs (1), (2), and (3)

Summary: Strengthening Our Investment in Land Stewardship Act or the SOIL Stewardship Act This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to reauthorize and modify Department of Agriculture conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. The bill addresses requirements for the programs relating to: enrollment and funding levels, the length and renewal process for contracts, payment rates, payment limitations, coordinating the application and enrollment processes for the two programs, set-asides and the enrollment process for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, soil health and carbon storage, and wildlife conservation and organic production.