The Farm Bill is often viewed primarily as agricultural legislation, but it is also one of the nation’s most consequential natural resource laws. Through conservation programs, crop insurance, commodity supports, and other incentives, the Farm Bill influences how millions of acres of agricultural land are managed, and, in turn, affects water quality, soil health, wildlife habitat, and climate resilience.
This interdisciplinary panel will explore how federal farm policy translates into decisions on Iowa farms and landscapes. Bringing together perspectives from agricultural law, farming, conservation, and health, panelists will discuss how Farm Bill programs shape farmer decision-making, the opportunities and barriers to adopting conservation practices, and the role federal policy can play in addressing Iowa’s environmental and natural resource challenges. The conversation is particularly timely as the current Farm Bill extension approaches its September 30 expiration and Congress continues to debate the next generation of federal farm and conservation policy.
Panelists include:
Brandi Janssen, Clinical Professor, University of Iowa College of Public Health, whose research examines the intersections of agriculture, rural communities, environmental health, and public health; Also the co-PI of the NOAA COLEARN CAP-RISA program
Neil Hamilton, Agricultural law professor emeritus and founder of the Agricultural Law Center at Drake University
Other panelists are forthcoming
A link to RSVP is forthcoming.