By Andi Anderson
Scott Henry, owner of Longview Farms in Nevada, Iowa, is urging members of Iowa's congressional delegation to prioritize and pass a new Farm Bill, focusing on legislation that promotes climate-smart agriculture. Henry, who grows corn and soybeans and raises cattle on his multi-generational family farm in Story County, believes that a climate-smart Farm Bill would benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.
According to Henry, a climate-smart Farm Bill should allow farmers to voluntarily adopt practices such as cover crops, no-till, prescriptive farming, split applications of nitrogen, and other fertilizer sources. These practices can help reduce reliance on synthetic inputs, promote sustainable farming methods, and contribute to environmental conservation.
During his visit to Washington, D.C. last week, Henry met with Iowa's senators, members of Congress, and House and Senate Ag Committee staff to discuss the importance of a climate-smart Farm Bill. He emphasized the need for knowledge dissemination about sustainable farming tools and the availability of these tools for farmers. Additionally, Henry suggested that incentives could encourage more farmers to adopt climate-smart practices.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the derecho in 2020, where a significant portion of his corn crop was affected, Henry highlighted the importance of resilient production practices. Despite the setback, his farm chose not to collect insurance but instead used combines to harvest the corn from the ground, showcasing the effectiveness of implemented sustainable practices.
With the current Farm Bill on a one-year extension set to expire in September, Henry urges elected leaders to pass a progressive Farm Bill by this fall. He sees the Farm Bill as an opportunity to bring farmers and consumers together with a common goal of building a sustainable future.
As the agricultural community faces the uncertainties of climate change, Henry's call for a climate-smart Farm Bill resonates as a step toward resilient and environmentally conscious farming practices in Iowa and beyond.
Categories: Iowa, Government & Policy