I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5875 
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs 
of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2029, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 31, 2025 
Mr. COSTA (for himself, Mr. VALADAO, Ms. PINGREE, and Mr. GRAY) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agri-
culture 
A BILL 
To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural 
and other programs of the Department of Agriculture 
through fiscal year 2029, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Converting Our Waste 
Sustainably Act of 2025’’ or the ‘‘COWS Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
It is the sense of Congress that— 
(1) the Alternative Manure Management Pro-
gram (AMMP) is a successful program in California 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
that supports the livestock industry and is an exam-
ple of what can be done nationally in the United 
States through a variety of practices on responsible 
manure management; 
(2) the 195 existing projects under AMMP are 
contributing towards the reduction of 1,600,000 
metric tons of greenhouse gases; and 
(3) these practices enhance sustainability and 
nurture continued environmental stewardship, ulti-
mately leading to enhanced local air quality and re-
cycled manure for use as a natural fertilizer or com-
post for healthier soil. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) COMPOSTING PRACTICE.—Section 1201(a) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through 
(27) as paragraphs (4) through (28), respectively; 
and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) 
COMPOSTING
PRACTICE.—The 
term 
‘composting practice’ means an activity (including 
an activity that does not require the use of a 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
composting facility) to produce compost from or-
ganic waste that is— 
‘‘(A) generated on a farm; or 
‘‘(B) brought to a farm from the nearby 
community; and 
‘‘(C) the use and active management of 
compost on a farm to improve water retention 
and soil health, subject to the condition that 
such use shall be in compliance with applicable 
Federal, State, and local laws.’’. 
(b) ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT.—Section 
1240A of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–1) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
(10) as paragraphs (2) through (11), respectively; 
and 
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so re-
designated, the following: 
‘‘(1) ALTERNATIVE
MANURE
MANAGEMENT 
PRACTICES.—The term ‘alternative manure manage-
ment practices’ means management measures that 
reduce baseline methane and nitrous oxide emissions 
and, where applicable, reduce nitrate leaching into 
groundwater or improve carbon sequestration, in-
cluding— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) converting to or improving pasture- 
based management, including management-in-
tensive rotational grazing (as defined in section 
1240L(d)(1)); 
‘‘(B) compost-bedded pack barns that com-
post manure, slatted floor pit storage that is 
cleaned out at least once a month, or other 
similar practices as determined by the Sec-
retary; and 
‘‘(C) solid separation, scrape and vacuum 
technologies, or other measures, including ma-
nure management system retrofits, that pri-
marily avoid wet handling and storage infra-
structure in conjunction with— 
‘‘(i) open or enclosed solar drying; 
‘‘(ii) composting; 
‘‘(iii) vermiculture or vermifiltration; 
‘‘(iv) forced evaporation; 
‘‘(v) solid storage; or 
‘‘(vi) other similar methods as deter-
mined by the Secretary.’’. 
(c) 
PRACTICE.—Subparagraph 
(A) 
of 
section 
1240A(7) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 
3839aa–1(7)), as so redesignated by subsection (a), is 
amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘and composting 
practices’’ after ‘‘practices’’; 
(2) in clause (vi), by striking the ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; 
(3) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (ix); 
and 
(4) by inserting after clause (vi) the following: 
‘‘(vii) composting practices; 
‘‘(viii) alternative manure manage-
ment practices; and’’. 
(d) INCLUSIONS.—Section 1240I(2)(B)(i) of the 
Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa– 
21(2)(B)(i)) is amended by inserting ‘‘and composting 
practices’’ after ‘‘drainage management systems’’. 
SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. 
(a) INCREASED
PAYMENTS
FOR
HIGH-PRIORITY 
PRACTICES.—Section 1240B(d)(7) of the Food Security 
Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(d)(7)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
‘‘STATE-DETERMINED’’ 
before 
‘‘HIGH-PRIORITY’’; 
and 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (iii), by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) in clause (iv), by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) increases carbon sequestration or 
reduces greenhouse gas emissions, includ-
ing emissions of methane and nitrous 
oxide.’’. 
(b) LIVESTOCK.—Section 1240B(f)(1) of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2(f)(1)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘and alternative manure manage-
ment’’ after ‘‘including grazing management’’. 
(c) ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PRAC-
TICES.—Section 1240B of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–2) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsections (h) through (j) 
as subsection (i) through (k), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (g) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(h) ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT PRAC-
TICES.— 
‘‘(1) PAYMENT AMOUNTS.—The Secretary may 
provide a payment for an alternative manure man-
agement practice for an amount that is up to 100 
percent of the costs associated with planning, design, 
materials, equipment, installation, labor, manage-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
ment, maintenance, and training related to imple-
menting a covered management measure. 
‘‘(2) ADVANCED
PAYMENTS.—The Secretary 
shall provide at least 50 percent of the amount of 
total payments for an alternative manure manage-
ment practice in advance for all costs related to— 
‘‘(A) purchasing or contracting materials 
and equipment; or 
‘‘(B) any technical assistance provided by 
the Secretary. 
‘‘(3) TERM.—A contract awarded under this 
section shall have a term that does not exceed 3 
years.’’. 
SEC. 5. PRIORITIZATION OF APPLICATIONS. 
Section 1240C(b) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3839aa–3(b)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through 
(4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, 
and by indenting such subparagraphs 2 ems to the 
right; 
(2) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), 
as redesignated by paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘In 
evaluating applications under this subchapter, the 
Secretary shall prioritize applications—’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In evaluating applications 
under this subchapter, the Secretary shall prioritize 
applications—’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT AP-
PLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
develop criteria for evaluating and ranking al-
ternative manure management contract offers 
to prioritize applications that will maximize— 
‘‘(i) carbon sequestration; 
‘‘(ii) greenhouse gas emissions reduc-
tions; and 
‘‘(iii) the overall environmental and 
public health benefits, including improved 
water quality and quantity. 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL CRITERIA.—In awarding 
alternative manure management applications, 
the Secretary shall develop criteria to ensure— 
‘‘(i) geographical diversity; 
‘‘(ii) scale diversity, including support 
for small and medium sized dairy and live-
stock operations; and 
‘‘(iii) participation by operations with 
a demonstrated track record of adopting 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
conservation measures and reducing green-
house gas emissions. 
‘‘(C) CLUSTER APPLICATIONS.—The Sec-
retary shall establish procedures under which— 
‘‘(i) a group of producers may submit 
a joint application for a shared composting 
facility; and 
‘‘(ii) the Secretary allocates payments 
to each eligible producer associated with 
that joint contract. 
‘‘(D) SERVING CERTAIN PRODUCERS.—To 
the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary 
shall award the majority of alternative manure 
contracts finalized each fiscal year to offers 
from small and mid-sized dairy and livestock 
operations, including— 
‘‘(i) beginning farmers or ranchers; 
‘‘(ii) limited resource farmers and 
ranchers; and 
‘‘(iii) socially disadvantaged farmers 
and ranchers.’’. 
SEC. 6. DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 
Section 1240F of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa–6) is amended by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before ‘‘To 
the extent appropriate, the Secretary shall assist a 
producer in achieving the conservation and environ-
mental goals of a program plan by—’’; and 
(2) inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) ALTERNATIVE MANURE MANAGEMENT.—For 
alternative manure management contracts, the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(1) determine and publish factors for esti-
mating the carbon sequestrations and greenhouse 
gas emissions reductions for each alternative manure 
management practice; 
‘‘(2) identify eligible producers based on ma-
nure management practices used at the time of ap-
plication, including the anaerobic decomposition of 
volatile solids stored in a lagoon or other predomi-
nantly liquid anaerobic environment and their ability 
to replace or complement that anaerobic system with 
an alternative manure management practice; and 
‘‘(3) assist an eligible producer in achieving the 
carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions re-
duction, and other environmental and public health 
goals of the alternative manure management systems 
by— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) providing payments for designing and 
implementing one or more alternative manure 
management practices; 
‘‘(B) providing that eligible producer with 
information, technical assistance, and training 
to aid in implementation of the alternative ma-
nure management practices; 
‘‘(C) reviewing the adequacy of existing 
conservation practice standards for supporting 
the alternative manure management practices 
and, if necessary— 
‘‘(i) revising existing conservation 
practice standards; and 
‘‘(ii) 
developing 
new 
conservation 
practice standards; and 
‘‘(D) entering into cooperative agreements 
with third-party technical assistance providers 
with relevant expertise in alternative manure 
management systems to ensure adequate tech-
nical services are available to alternative ma-
nure management applicants.’’. 
SEC. 7. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS. 
Section 1240G of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 
U.S.C. 3839aa–7) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) by inserting ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—’’ before 
‘‘Not including payments’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘, regardless of the number of 
contracts entered into under this subchapter by the 
person or legal entity’’ and inserting at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(b) WAIVER AUTHORITY
AND LIMITATION.—The 
Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) waive the applicability of the limitations in 
section 1001D(b) or section 1240(G) for a payment 
made under an alternative manure management con-
tract if the Secretary determines that the waiver is 
necessary to fulfill the objectives of the project; and 
‘‘(2) impose a separate payment limitation for 
the contract with respect to which the waiver ap-
plies.’’. 
SEC. 8. NEW OR INNOVATIVE CONSERVATION APPROACH. 
Section 1240H(c)(1)(B)(i) of the Food Security Act 
of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(c)(1)(B)(i)) is amended— 
(1) in subclause (VI), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the 
end; and 
(2) by inserting at the end the following: 
‘‘(VIII) alternative manure man-
agement practices; and’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
SEC. 9. DELIVERY OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 1242(h) of the Food Security Act of 1985 
(16 U.S.C. 3842(h)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) DEVELOPMENT OF COMPOSTING PRACTICE 
STANDARD.—Not later than one year after the date 
of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(A) conduct a review of the composting 
facilities practice standard and the soil carbon 
amendment practice standard to determine 
their adequacy in advancing alternative manure 
management and on-farm composting genera-
tion and utilization; and 
‘‘(B) develop and implement a new con-
servation practice standard for the on-farm pro-
duction of compost.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
20:54 Nov 12, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5875.IH
H5875
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS