Underwood Introduces Bill to Support Farmers, Fight Climate Change

WASHINGTON – Representative Lauren Underwood introduced the Strong Farms, Strong Future Act, bipartisan legislation co-led by Rep. Zach Nunn that updates U.S. Department of Agriculture programs to help farmers address climate change and rising costs. The bill provides inflation-adjusted payments for conservation practices, including crop rotations, advanced grazing management, and perennial production systems, while updating the Conservation Stewardship Program to allow automatic contract renewals and more flexible, region-specific conservation bundles. The legislation also makes permanent Climate Change Mitigation Bundles established in the Inflation Reduction Act, supporting farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon sequestration. The bill is endorsed by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Illinois Corn Growers Association, Practical Farmers of Iowa, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.