Conservation and Water: High Priority in the 2023 Farm Bill 

(Washington, D.C., March 1, 2023) – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. questioned witnesses today during the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry’s third hearing on the 2023 Farm Bill, a five-year legislative package that is critical for providing support to Kansas’ agriculture industry. Today’s hearing focused on the Farm Bill’s conservation and forestry efforts. Senator Marshall used his time to stress the importance of innovation in agriculture, discussing how modern technology enables our farms to grow more food with less fertilizer. Senator Marshall also questioned witnesses on the affordability of fertilizer in the United States. Lastly, Senator Marshall understands the dramatic effect drought has on Kansas producers who are facing the brunt of it now. To that effect the Senator inquired about what the U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing about water conservation and what more we could be doing. 

“As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, it is my priority that our agency officials understand the importance of responsible conservation management while keeping our farmers and ranchers at the forefront of the conversation,” Senator Marshall said.

You may click HERE or on the image below to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.

Background:

In February, Senator Marshall launched a new initiative to highlight conservation efforts in Kansas within the Kansas Agriculture Community. The series will also feature ongoing federal conservation programs taking place in Kansas. Stories will be released throughout the legislative process on the 2023 Farm Bill on Fridays.

On February 9, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held their second hearing on the 2023 Farm Bill, discussing crop insurance and commodity programs. Senator Marshall used his time stressing the importance of the farm safety net programs for not only production agriculture but also its importance in keeping food affordable for Americans. Senator Marshall began his remarks emphasizing that this hearing on crop insurance is the hearing that will have the most impact on Kansans. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks and witness questions.

On February 1, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held their first hearing on the 2023 Farm Bill, discussing the trade and horticulture titles. Senator Marshall used his time during this hearing gathering witness testimony on market access for American agriculture products. You may click HERE or on the image below to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks and witness questions.

The original Farm Bill – The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) was a federal law passed in 1933 as part of U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The law offered farmers subsidies in exchange for limiting their production of certain crops. The subsidies were meant to limit overproduction so that crop prices could increase. This was so farmers wouldn’t go out of business and then ultimately not produce enough food for the U.S. Today, along with crop prices, the Farm Bill authorizes federal programs related to conservation, trade, crop insurance, and nutrition.

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