This week, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA offered comments to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) regarding implementation of funding received through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support climate-smart agriculture and conservation that reflect the boots-on-the-ground realities facing producers enrolling and implementing conservation programs. We likewise were pleased to provide input from the scientific community on innovative means to quantify outcomes and tackle these challenges.

Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter: 

1. A few big things happening in Washington, DC and beyond.

2. Hot off the press statements and activities from the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA science policy office.

3. Engagement opportunities to help you build advocacy skills. Look for the  for other calls to action throughout the newsletter.

Here’s what you’ll find in this newsletter: 

1. A few big things happening in Washington, DC and beyond.

2. Hot off the press statements and activities from the ASA, CSSA, and SSSA science policy office

3. Engagement opportunities to help you build advocacy skills. Look for the plant symbol for other calls to action throughout the newsletter.

The American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) represent nearly 8,000 scientists in academia, industry, and government. We also support a nationwide network of more than 13,300 Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and over 700 Certified Professional Soil Scientists (CPSS) who work directly with farmers, many as technical service providers (TSPs).

House Science Committee requests more information on open access

Congress Responds to OSTP Memo:

Today, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA sent a letter to Congressional Appropriations Committee leadership urging them to robustly fund agricultural research programs in FY23. The letter, led by ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, was signed by 88 organizations across the agricultural research community. 

White House announces fertilizer grants, hunger and nutrition roadmap

What’s new: The U.S.

Given current global challenges, lawmakers have proposed allowing select land currently enrolled or soon-to-be enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to be opened for crop production in the immediate future. In 2021, approximately 315,000 U.S. producers received CRP payments, accounting for roughly 22 million acres enrolled in the CRP program or 8.7% of U.S. cropland.

The House Agriculture Committee’s piece of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package will include billions of dollars for USDA to manage national forests, upgrade biofuel infrastructure, and conduct climate research. The bill includes a massive $7.75 billion investment in agriculture climate research and infrastructure, including $500 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), $380 million for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority, and $250 mi

Seeing the rapidly increasing focus on agriculture as a climate solution, ASA, CSSA, and SSSA released a new climate solutions position statement, Advancing Resilient Agriculture: Recommendations to Address Climate Change, which outlines concrete actions policymakers can take right now to help U.S. agriculture mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.