Farm Bill Signed by the President

Late Thursday (12/20), the President signed a $867 billion (that’s billion with a “b”) Farm Bill. Many of the components of the Bill are interesting from a food and agricultural policy perspective, but those are less applicable to drinking water than the conservation provisions.

The Bill will direct $4 billion dollars over the next ten years to conservation practices that protect sources of drinking water. Farm Bill conservation programs, along with partnerships between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, water utilities and farmers, can be key to protecting drinking water sources.