Senators Young, Braun Introduce Bill Encouraging Conservation Partnerships Between Farmers, Land-Grant Universities

U.S. Senators Todd Young (left) and Mike Braun (right). Photos: C.J. Miller / Hoosier Ag Today.

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mike Braun (R-IN) have re-introduced legislation to encourage more partnerships between land-grant universities, such as Purdue, and local farmers seeking to adopt conservation and innovative climate practices on their farms.
The legislation is also being co-sponsored by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Tina Smith (D-MN).
The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act would bridge the divide between the innovative research taking place at land-grant institutions and those who farm for a living by helping family farms adopt climate friendly strategies like planting cover crops and using no-till practices.
The Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act would do the following:

  • Enable partnerships between land-grant institutions and local farmers to increase uptake of conservation and innovative climate practices
  • Allow farmers to voluntarily adopt practices that suit their individualized needs
  • Require land-grant institutions to partner with a non-profit, state, or federal entity
  • Allow the partnership to conduct a variety of activities to support farming communities like workshops, distribution of digital materials, and tests to measure the effectiveness of conservation and climate smart practices
  • Provide $13 million in funding for 4-year grants, with a maximum grant of $400,000

“Hoosier farms feed our families and are integral to our supply chains. Every farmer faces unique decisions in their farm management, and pressure from the federal government to cut carbon emissions can place stress on the good work already underway,” said Senator Young. “My Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act gives farmers access to the latest tools and research in order to be successful while keeping American soil productive and healthy.”
“Purdue University applauds Indiana Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun along with their co-sponsors for introducing the Conservation and Innovative Climate Partnership Act,” said Dr. Mung Chiang, President of Purdue University. “Engaging with the community through the Purdue Extension is one way we meet our critical land grant mission, providing research-based information and modern technologies to Indiana farmers, consumers and families. This legislation will enable even more partnerships between Purdue and local farmers to increase the use of conservation and innovative, science-based climate practices.”
Supporters of the bill include Purdue University, Indiana Corn Growers Association, Indiana Soybean Alliance and The Nature Conservancy.
Click HERE to read a one-page synopsis of the bill. 
Click HERE to read the full text of the bill.

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