Yesterday, Ag Committee Chairman “GT” Thompson unveiled a title-by-title overview of priorities outlined in the 2024 farm bill base text. While this document provides a high-level summary, it appears that many of the IFCA priorities are poised for inclusion. These may involve revisions to TSP, streamlining conservation practice standards, and provisions for implementing innovative conservation practices. In the coming weeks, prior to the May 23rd Ag Committee markup,  we anticipate the release of several more detailed summary documents that will elucidate specific provisions within each title, offering further insight into the content of the base text.
 
In the Senate, Chairwoman Stabenow released a more comprehensive farm bill framework which included the following IFCA policy priorities:
 
TITLE II—Conservation
Sec. 2502. Delivery of Technical Assistance

• Improves the certification of Third-Party Service Providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation planning, watershed planning, environmental engineering, conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation to provide technical assistance to producers participating in NRCS conservation programs.
• Streamlines the process for NRCS approval of interim and final conservation practice standards and requires NRCS to consider conservation innovations, scientific and technical advancements, traditional ecological knowledge, and the results of Conservation Innovation Grant On-Farm Trials to proactively establish new and update existing conservation practice standards. (NOTE: This provision could streamline controlled release fertilizers as a paid practice for growers)
• Directs NRCS to allow flexibility for State, Tribal, and local governments to create interim conservation practice standards particular to specific regions.

 
TITLE X—Horticulture
Sec. 10013. Defining Plant Biostimulants

• Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to clarify the regulation of “plant biostimulants” under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

 
Sec. 10014. Soil Health Study

• Directs USDA to conduct a study on the types of plant biostimulant products, how they are used in production, and their impact on crop productivity and health, as defined by EPA under Section 10012, to determine their production benefits and uses.

 
What does NOT appear to be included in the Senate Farm Bill

• Grassley/Baldwin Fertilizer Research Act of 2023
• Tillis/Brown Designating P and K on the Final List of Critical Minerals

 IFCA will keep our members informed on any new details on the 2024 Farm Bills.