A trio of Washington lawmakers have introduced federal legislation to replicate a Washington program that incentivizes voluntary conservation on farms of all sizes.
On Wednesday, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, joined by fellow Democratic Washington U.S. Reps. Kim Schrier and Marilyn Strickland, introduced the Partnerships for Agricultural Climate Action (PACA) Act of 2024. If passed, the program would replicate Washington’s Sustainable Farms and Fields program.
“As small farmers across Southwest Washington face increasingly challenging growing conditions, there shouldn’t be high barriers to entry for improving climate resiliency and soil health,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “At a time when it’s difficult enough to keep a family farm afloat, the PACA Act would help producers protect their operations from extreme weather, stay competitive, and reduce emissions in ways that make sense for their bottom line.”
According to Gluesenkamp Perez, the bill would:
• Allow local partners, states, and tribes to expedite access to resources for producers who are reducing emissions, enhancing soil carbon storage, and improving resilience to extreme weather.
• Enable local, state, and tribal entities and partnerships to direct climate action in ways that are regionally relevant and appropriate for local operations.
• Support first-time, low-income, and minority farmers by providing technical and financial assistance.
"Supporting our agricultural community remains a top priority of mine, especially as our farmers both confront emerging threats and contribute to addressing climate change," Schrier said in a statement. "That's why I'm proud to introduce the PACA Act, which will scale up and replicate an existing bipartisan Washington state program to help growers here in my district and across the country voluntarily strengthen their climate resiliency, contribute to climate solutions, stay in business, and improve their bottom line."
According to Gluesenkamp Perez, the bill is supported by the Northwest Dairy Association/Darigold, the Washington State Potato Commission, the Washington Association of Wheat Growers, the Washington State Conservation Commission, the Washington State Farm Bureau, Carbon180 and Carbon Washington.
“The bill provides a path towards benefiting underserved farm families regarding needed resources for voluntary conservation practices,” said Matt Harris, director of governmental affairs at the Washington State Potato Commission. “Farms, fish and rural communities will benefit from this innovative bill.”
