American Prairie Conservation Act
The American Prairie Conservation Act would broaden and standardize the “native sod” provisions that already exist in federal farm programs. Specifically, it would apply the native sod certification and reporting requirements to the entire United States (not just a subset of states) and extend those requirements to both federal crop insurance benefits and the noninsured crop disaster assistance program. Under the bill, producers who tilled native sod acreage for insurable crops must certify that acreage to the Secretary using a Farm Service Agency acreage report form (FSA-578 or successor) and accompanying maps. Producers would be required to update these certifications if their tilled/native sod acreage changes, and the Secretary would annually report, through 2030, the amount of tilled native sod certified in each county and state. A parallel certification, correction, and reporting regime would apply to benefits under the noninsured crop disaster assistance program. The aim appears to be enhanced conservation of native grasslands by tying certain federal farm program benefits to verified native sod status.
Key Points
- 1Extends native sod conversion certification to all states and to both crop insurance and noninsured disaster assistance programs.
- 2Certification must use the FSA-578 acreage report form and accompanying maps; corrections must be filed promptly when tilled native sod acreage changes.
- 3Annual reporting to Congress required: starting no later than January 1, 2026 and continuing through January 1, 2030, detailing tilled native sod acreage certified in each county and state.
- 4Applies the native sod certification as a condition for receiving benefits under the relevant parts of the crop insurance program and the noninsured crop disaster assistance program.
- 5Short title: “American Prairie Conservation Act” (as introduced).