Bill Overview
Title: GRAIN for America Act
Description: GRAIN for America Act This bill establishes a one-year moratorium on the enrollment of land in the Conservation Reserve Program, with a specified exception for land that is already subject to a contract under the program. It also prohibits the Department of Agriculture from enrolling prime farmland in the program. Additionally, the bill allows a participant who has entered into a contract under the program to terminate the contract at any time during the one-year period preceding the date on which the contact would expire.
Sponsors: Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7]
Target Audience
Population: People involved in agriculture in the US, particularly those connected with the Conservation Reserve Program
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill affects those involved in agriculture, particularly landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
- It affects farmers who might have been planning to enroll new prime farmland into the CRP, as they will not be able to do so during the moratorium.
- It impacts current contract holders in the CRP as they have the option to terminate their contracts early.
- Overall, the bill may influence agricultural production and conservation practices in the US.
- The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
Reasoning
- The GRAIN for America Act impacts those involved in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), affecting both new enrollees and existing participants. This includes landowners and farmers who use the program to manage and conserve land while receiving financial compensation for doing so.
- The policy halts new enrollments, restricting government expenditure in this area, which suggests a potential drop in conservation-focused land management. However, it offers flexibility for those nearing the end of their contracts to withdraw early.
- The target population includes a broad range of agricultural participants across the US. The focus is on understanding how stopping new enrollments in the CRP affects their wellbeing and agricultural practices.
- Some in the agriculture sector, especially those with pending enrollments or plans to enroll new prime farmland, may face uncertainty or economic impacts due to the moratorium.
- Current CRP participants with less than a year left may see an opportunity to pivot their land use strategies to immediate farming. This could be beneficial or burdensome based on market conditions and individual readiness to adapt.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Iowa)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was planning to enroll another 30 acres of my land in CRP, but now that's not possible.
- This change could push me towards more crop production, which might increase my income, but also my workload.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Retired Farmer (Nebraska)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having the option to end my CRP contract early is beneficial as I was considering transitioning my land use.
- The policy provides flexibility, which I appreciate in planning my retirement finances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Agriculture Consultant (Kansas)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Clients might feel uneasy about not being able to enroll new land into CRP, especially if they were relying on this income.
- The policy might lead to short-term disruptions in conservation goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental Scientist (California)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The halt in new enrollments might set back conservation efforts during this time.
- This policy could shift priorities away from environmental goals temporarily.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Soybean Farmer (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel slightly disappointed as I was considering using some of my land for conservation under CRP to diversify.
- This change means relying more on crop yields or considering other conservation methods.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 9 |
Rancher (Texas)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not having the ability to put more land in CRP affects my long-term conservation goals.
- The policy allows flexibility should I need to withdraw early, but I wasn't planning to.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
CRP Manager (Georgia)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The moratorium changes the dynamics and workload of managing CRP contracts.
- Some landowners might need advice on transitioning from CRP to direct production.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Agricultural Economist (Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Economically, the moratorium might mean more immediate production focus, but it could slow sustainable farming adoption.
- Long-term financial perspectives can be influenced depending on landowners' decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Grain Farmer (Montana)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't directly affect my operations as I'm not using CRP.
- I might see indirect impacts through market changes or peer farming strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Organic Farmer (North Dakota)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy shift might be temporary but it will disrupt those relying on CRP for newer conservation plans.
- I'm looking into alternative ways to manage and finance conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $-1500000000 (Low: $-2000000000, High: $-1000000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Current and potential future CRP participants will be directly affected by this policy as it restricts their options.
- There may be longer-term environmental impacts due to decreased land conservation during the one-year moratorium.
- Economic impacts will be limited due to the short-term nature of the policy changes.