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The United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) provided in a June 26th news release an update on the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Topics included forestry, biomass, energy, environmental, and conservation.
Relevant programs addressed included:
- Conservation
- Conservation Reserve Program (noting acceptance of applications on June 3, 2019)
- Regional Conservation Partnership Program (noting guidance to State committees to identify coordinators in each State)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (noting May 10th posting of guidance for state conservationists regarding the handling of participant requests to apply for new contracts, etc.)
- Technical Changes to NRCS Conservation Programs (noting May 6th issuance of interim final rule to make existing regulations consistent with the 2018 Farm Bill)
- Conservation Innovation Grants (investment of $25 million per year over the next five years to help support On-Farm conservation Innovation Trials)
- Rural Development (Rural Utilities Service hosting meeting on July 10th)
- Forestry
- Attendance at National Consultation on P.L.115-325 (Indian Energy Act/Woody Biomass) hosted by Department of Interior/Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Energy
- Definition update for Biorefinery Assistance Program (April 23rd Federal Register notice with definition update)
- Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels (workplan published in the Spring Regulatory agenda)
- Rural Energy for America Program Grants (workplan published in the Spring Regulatory agenda)
A copy of the announcement can be found here.
