HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is thankful to see leaders in the House and Senate prioritize the need for investment in agriculture practices that will help address local water quality and positively influence outcomes in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Sen. Scott Martin and Representative Bryan Cutler recently authored an opinion piece encouraging support for the creation of a Clean Water Fund that addresses some of the legacy conservation issues that Pennsylvania faces.
The lawmakers highlight the modern farming practices that are reducing nutrient and sediment loss, along with the positive role that is having on water quality in the Bay and other Pennsylvania watersheds.
However, agriculture is faced with needing to make additional best management practices that will further improve local water quality. Those best management practices result in lasting improvements on farms, invigorate local economies and improve the wildlife habitat in local creeks and streams.
Sen. Martin and Rep. Cutler highlighted Senate Bill 832 and House Bill 1901, which would create an Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program and provide funding to help farmers pay for these best management practices. These bills are key pieces of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s legislative agenda and we are thankful to see support from leaders in the General Assembly.
–Pennsylvania Farm Bureau