WASHINGTON, June 1, 2021 ----- The Izaak Walton League of America welcomes the new incentives for planting cover crops that promote sustainable, climate-friendly farming. The program was announced on June 1 by the Risk Management Agency at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"For years, the League has led the charge to establish a 'Good Farmer Discount' on crop insurance for farmers who build soil health through no-till crops and use of cover crops," said Scott Kovarovics, executive director at the Izaak Walton League of America.
Conservation measures that build soil health, increase the carbon content of the soil and grow the soil’s water-holding capacity reduce the likelihood they will suffer a large crop loss in a very dry or very wet year. Yet these “high conservation / low risk” farmers pay the same premiums for their crop insurance as those who have not adopted the conservation measures and are therefore more likely to have a crop loss that is covered by federal crop insurance, a cost paid by taxpayers.
The League is working with Congress to pass legislation to institute these vital insurance reforms. The League is also working with USDA to implement a pilot project that would demonstrate the value of a Good Farmer Discount to producers and taxpayers across the country.
See more about Izaak Walton League's agriculture programs.
Contacts:
Jared Mott, Conservation Director, Izaak Walton League of America, jmott@iwla.org, 301-548-0150 ext. 224
Michael Reinemer, Communications Director, mreinemer@iwla.org.
Since 1922, the Izaak Walton League has served as a leading force for clean air and water, healthy soil and habit for fish and wildlife habitat. Today, the League plays a unique role in supporting local conservation volunteers and shaping national policy. www.iwla.org