Support Strong Farm Bill Conservation Programs and Policies

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) advocates for the inclusion of robust conservation measures in the 2013 Farm Bill, specifically calling for maintained funding, conservation compliance for all federal subsidy beneficiaries, and the creation of a national sod-saver program. The letter emphasizes that integrating native perennial prairie plants and short-rotation biomass crops on marginal lands can simultaneously achieve conservation goals—such as carbon sequestration and water quality improvement—and energy goals by providing sustainable bio-based feedstock to displace fossil fuels.

• The EESI recommends three specific policy actions for the 2013 Farm Bill: maintaining strong conservation funding, requiring all federal agricultural subsidy beneficiaries (including those receiving crop insurance) to adhere to conservation best practices, and implementing a national sod-saver program to prevent the destruction of indigenous prairies, grasslands, and wetlands.
• The establishment of native perennial prairie plants or short-rotation biomass crops on marginal, erodible lands, floodplains, and watershed buffers is presented as a dual-purpose strategy to meet both conservation and energy objectives. These crops can reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss, increase biodiversity, and absorb carbon dioxide while providing sustainable feedstock for bio-based energy to replace climate-polluting fossil fuels.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2013). Support Strong Farm Bill Conservation Programs and Policies. https://www.eesi.org/files/051313_house_conservation_letter.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Support Strong Farm Bill Conservation Programs and Policies. 2013. https://www.eesi.org/files/051313_house_conservation_letter.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Support Strong Farm Bill Conservation Programs and Policies |date=14 May 2013 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/051313_house_conservation_letter.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2013support, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Support Strong Farm Bill Conservation Programs and Policies}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2013}, month = may, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/051313_house_conservation_letter.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }