Statewide Iowa — More than 50 agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau, are backing a measure now before the US Senate called the Growing Climate Solutions Act. Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman says it’s solid legislation that will help farmers to address climate change.
(As above) “It is designed to lead us to real changes on the ground so that farmers can use climate-smart practices,” Lehman says, “and have some assurances that they’re going to be rewarded for those practices.”
Lehman says the bill calls for a USDA-led certification program to assist farmers and ranchers in identifying reliable carbon credit programs.
(As above) “It’s extremely important to know we have reliable partners in this,” he says. “If we have uncertainty about who farmers can work with reliably, that will set us back years in trying to develop this process.”
At least 17 Republicans have joined 17 Democrats in signing onto the legislation. Lehman says having bipartisan backing is essential in getting anything accomplished.
(As above) “Congress is fairly evenly divided and really, to pass good legislation regarding climate change, you have to have broad support both in agriculture as a whole, and when you’re talking about individual representatives and senators.”
A companion measure is being introduced in the House.
