Congressmen Eric Sorensen of Illinois and Mike Lawler of New York have joined forces to introduce the Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act. This bipartisan bill aims to establish consistent national standards for measuring soil carbon, helping farmers receive recognition and financial rewards for their conservation efforts. The legislation requires the USDA to develop science-based tools for tracking carbon sequestration and to conduct on-farm demonstrations to support adoption. Supporters say this measure will boost scientific understanding, benefit the environment, and strengthen rural economies. The Illinois Corn Growers Association and other major agriculture groups have endorsed the proposal.
“Our farmers are the backbone of rural Illinois – feeding our families, sustaining our economy, and protecting our natural resources. They are leading the way to a more sustainable future by implementing conservation practices to improve their soil health and resiliency, and they deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their efforts,” said Congressman Sorensen. “But right now, the lack of a national standard for accurately measuring soil carbon makes verifying the amount sequestered a challenge. My bipartisan legislation will change that by requiring the USDA to create a consistent standard so farmers can receive the recognition they have earned.”
“I’m proud to support the Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act, said Congressman Lawler. “Farmers are doing the hard work of improving soil health and protecting our environment, but they need better tools to measure that progress. This bill will help us develop clear, science-based ways to track soil carbon and make sure farmers are recognized and rewarded for their efforts.”
“Illinois soybean farmers, along with those across the country, are leading the way on soil health,” said Bryan Severs, Illinois Soybean Association Chairman. “The ARASHA will make American agriculture smarter and more resilient.”
“Healthy and resilient agricultural landscapes ensure American producers can generate the foods, fiber, and fuels needed to drive our economy,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). “What’s more, these soils can store vast quantities of carbon as plants draw CO2 from the air. BPC Action applauds Reps. Eric Sorenson (D-IL) and Mike Lawler’s (R-NY) Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act, which directs USDA to systematically assess soil carbon across the country. This standardized approach is essential to improving our understanding of our farming landscapes and the vital economic, environmental, and climate benefits they provide.”
Specifically, the Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act would:
- Develop consistent and standardized soil carbon measurement methodologies based on the best available science and in consultation with producers, soil carbon scientists, and diverse stakeholder groups.
- Leverage the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to develop new tools for measuring, monitoring, reporting, and verifying (MMRV) emissions and carbon sequestration.
- Conduct on farm demonstrations to improve producer understanding and adoption of soil carbon sequestration practices.
- Establish a Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis Network led by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to inventory, monitor, and analyze soil carbon and emission changes on agricultural land over time.
- Develop modeling tools grounded in direct measurements and the best available science that allow users to estimate changes in soil carbon and emissions resulting from implementing conservation management practices.
You can read the full text of the bill HERE and additional background HERE.
