President Barack Obama signed the Agricultural Act of 2014, otherwise known as the farm bill, Friday in Lansing, Mich.
"The agricultural irrigation industry congratulates Congress for coming together and passing a final five-year farm bill," said IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE. "As our industry continues to promote the efficient use of water, we look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement these important programs to increase yield while conserving one of our nation's most precious resources: water."
IA was active in crafting and supporting the farm bill's conservation title, which reauthorizes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program through 2018. The conservation title also increases the USDA's focus on water quantity through the reauthorization of the Conservation Innovation Grants and the creation of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
"We are pleased to see such a focus on water throughout the conservation title," Hamlin said. "Voluntary incentives remain vital to ensure water is available for the current and future generations of American farmers."