State Flower: Flower
Updates in 2023:
HB295 [LS] Amending registration and inspection fees; allows funds to also be used for “the promotion of soil health improvement practices generally” – signed by Governor 11/21/2023
SB283 [LS] Amending crop insurance financial assistance; in definition of “cover crops”, has “primarily used for erosion control, soil health improvement and water quality improvement”
At the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) meeting on 7/19/2023, they unveiled the new State Soil Health Program and Sustainable Agriculture Board, which are finalized. The program will include annual grants to farmers (or to intermediary farm groups acting on behalf of farmers) that support direct grants (no match) of up to $25K, and matching grants of up to $50K. Eligible practices will include, but will not be limited to, cover crops, reduced or no till, and riparian buffer installation. They have an initial funding pool from EPA’s Most Effective Basin funding program of $2M/year for 4 years. A write-up on the new program being is prepared and is expected to be available in the fall. This program was created under the Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Act of 1994.
Updates in 2022:
SB1115 [LS], An Act designating the Groundhog (Marmota monax), as the official State Rodent of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, “Groundhogs play an important role in maintaining healthy soil in woodland and plain areas.” – stalled in committee
Updates in 2021:
None
Legislative Information
Date:
Passed 2019
Legislation:
The PA Farm Bill is a package of 13 bills and an associated increase in budget allocation to the following soil health related programs:
- To re-establish the Agriculture-Linked Investment Program
- To expand the Agricultural Security Areas Program
- To expand the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP)
Specific bills related to soil health in the Farm Bill package:
- Senate Bill 634 Conservation Excellence Grant Program
- Senate Bill 623 PA Preferred Organic Initiative
Sponsors:
- Farm Bill, Governor Tom Wolf
- Senate Bill 634: Senator Gene Yaw, Senator
Agencies Involved:
- Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
- Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC)
Rule Making Processes:
N/A
Program Summary
Description:
The Pennsylvania Farm Bill was proposed and championed by Governor Tom Wolf and the Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and was passed with broad bipartisan support. The Pennsylvania farm economy had plummeted over the past half-decade, with hundreds of farms lost. The PA Farm Bill was created with the intention to make agriculture both financially and environmentally sustainable in the future.
The PA Farm Bill is a package of 13 separate bills with wide ranging mandates and goals, including creating programs to provide business planning, disaster readiness, research in specialty crops, conservation grants and loans, supporting veteran farmers, funding for dairy producers, small meat processors, and agricultural youth organizations. It also has bills designed to grow opportunities and resources for farmers and producers while removing barriers to entry.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture began the process of developing guidelines for a myriad of programs several months before the PA Farm Bill Package was signed into law. Part of the Farm Bill package involved expanding the already existing programs such as the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) and the Agricultural Security Areas Program. In total, the PA Farm Bill invests $24 million across the various programs. The majority of the funding comes Pennsylvania’s General Fund. REAP provides a tax credit for best management practices and is funded through the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code.
Soil Health Definitions:
As defined by the Pennsylvania NRCS, “… the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans”
Stated Goals:
- To better support agriculture in Pennsylvania become more profitable, sustainable, and resilient to ensure its future success
- To invest in agriculture to increase opportunities for entry, access to resources, and increase innovation
- The package has six main areas of interest:
1) support business development;
2) strengthen the workforce;
3) fortify the business climate;
4) increase processing capability;
5) invest in organic;
6) build disaster readiness
Program Required Measurements:
N/A
Tools & Guidance:
N/A
Funding Sources
Founding Source/s:
The General Fund of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Fiscal Code
Funding Type/s:
Funding comes in the form of grants, loans, education, outreach, and tax credits.
Practices Eligible for Funding:
N/A
Lessons Learned
Agencies Involved
House Committee:
Senate Committee:
State Universities & Researchers
Pennsylvania State University: Land-grant university
Agricultural Organizations & Technical Assistance
Education & Advocacy Groups
This site is meant to facilitate groups, agencies, and individuals wishing to learn about and advance soil health policy. Organization names are not mentioned here for privacy, interested parties are encouraged to send an email to the state page contact with requests for state-specific information.
Media & Additional Resources