Bill · H.R. 4428· House(119-HR-4428)
Strong Farms, Strong Future Act
- Introduced
- 7/16/2025
- Last activity
- 7/16/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- Sponsored by
- Lauren Underwood
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``Strong Farms, Strong Future Act'' aims to change how the Secretary of Agriculture manages the conservation stewardship program. It introduces additional payments for producers who adopt or maintain perennial production systems. The bill expands the criteria for evaluating contract offers to focus on soil health, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas reductions. It also allows for the automatic renewal of contracts if a producer implements a perennial production system. Furthermore, it establishes "climate change mitigation bundles" which are groups of conservation activities designed to reduce emissions and improve soil. Finally, the Secretary must report on the progress and feedback regarding these new bundles.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would farmers be better off under this?+7
Farmers receive supplemental payments, more flexible contract renewals, and inflation-adjusted payments.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+6
The bill incentivizes carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reductions through new conservation bundles.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
The bill focuses on soil health and climate change mitigation through agricultural stewardship.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Support for Producers: The bill allows for the adjustment of planned annual payments to account for inflation regarding planning, design, materials, labor, and maintenance (Section 4(a)).
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Opportunities for Contract Renewal: Producers may receive an opportunity to renew existing contracts if they demonstrate compliance and integrate new or improved conservation activities (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Automatic Renewals for Specific Practices: Producers who install or improve a perennial production system may receive an automatic contract renewal (Section 3(b)(3)).
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Flexible Conservation Options: The Secretary is directed to design "climate change mitigation bundles" that allow producers to select activities tailored to their specific site needs (Section 4(c)(3)).
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Equal Access for Different Farming Styles: Climate change mitigation bundles will be equally accessible to organic and conventional producers (Section 4(c)(5)).
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Targeted Support for Specific Systems: The bill provides for supplemental payments specifically for perennial production systems (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Compliance Requirements for Renewal: To renew a contract, a producer must demonstrate compliance with existing terms, agree to integrate new activities, and meet a stewardship threshold for at least one additional priority resource concern (Section 3(b)(1)).
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Increased Secretary Discretion: The Secretary is given authority to determine criteria for contract offers, the definition of perennial species, and how to design and implement mitigation bundles (Section 3(a), Section 4(b), and Section 4(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+7Good For Business Owners+4Good For Rural Residents+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+6Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Rural Development+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+3Improves Government Transparency+2
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Zachary NunnRepublican · Iowa
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois