Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023

FARM BILL: - Asked House and Senate Members to support S.5335, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024 and H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for their legislator to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill and a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.5321, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans. - S.4168/H.R.4838, the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture. - S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act, which would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. - S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. - S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - S.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.2371/H.R.3139, the ACRE Act, which would exclude from the gross income of certain financial lending institutions, for income tax purposes, interest received on loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate. - S.5101, the Farmer Driven Conservation Outcomes Act, which would authorize USDA to measure, assess, and report on the outcomes associated with its conservation programs. - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. OTHER: - Reviewed FWS' proposal to list the Monarch Butterfly as an endangered species (Docket #: FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137-0001). Expressed concerns to legislators over the impact this will have on agriculture. Worked with PFB members to comply information for comments. - Sent election congrats letters to PA House and Senate Members and started the conversation of 119th Congressional priorities. - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA and shared AFBF's comments with PA's delegation for: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Reviewed USDA's proposed final decision for the FMMOs (Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031) and emailed PA House and Senate Members with PFB's position to not take a stand to allow for a fair referendum process. Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Advocacy work on increasing the availability and affordability of rural childcare. - Reviewed Chevron Deference case to determine the impact it will have on ag. Supported SCOTUS' decision. Signed onto coalition letter to President Biden to urge suspension of regulatory activity until they review the Loper decision.

Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, President of the U.S., SENATE

Authorizations & Implementation Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act (S.3079/H.R.2468) 2024 Farm Bill (H.R. 8467) - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 5045/S. 2620) Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Disaster Reforestation Act (H.R. 655/S. 217) Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S. 4753) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Excise Tax on sportfishing and archery equipment from foreign manufacturers Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act (H.R. 9602) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (H.R. 7257/S. 3738) Incentivizing REPI Sales Act (S. 5409) Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (S.3754/H.R. 7289) National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (S.4638/H.R.8070) Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation North American Grasslands Conservation Act - proposed legislation Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve (OMNP&P) Establishment Act (S. 4216/H.R. 8182) Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373/H.R. 913) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation Senate resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of Aldo Leopold's Sand County Almanac U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180) Working Waterfronts Tax Credit Act (S. 4871)

Authorizations & Implementation Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act (S.3079/H.R.2468) 2024 Farm Bill (H.R. 8467) - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 5045/S. 2620) Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Disaster Reforestation Act (H.R. 655/S. 217) Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S. 4753) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Excise Tax on sportfishing and archery equipment from foreign manufacturers Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act (H.R. 9602) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (H.R. 7257/S. 3738) Incentivizing REPI Sales Act - proposed legislation Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (S.3754/H.R. 7289) National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (S.4638/H.R.8070) Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation North American Grasslands Conservation Act - proposed legislation Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve (OMNP&P) Establishment Act (S. 4216/H.R. 8182) Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373/H.R. 913) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180)

2024 Farm Bill; conservation, forestry, and feral swine provisions; Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, HR8467; Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023, HR3424/S2631.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $20,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

Issues related to forestry and forest management, issues related to the development and use of mass timber, issues related to funding for forestry programs at USDA; issues related to expanding the scope of the Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to measure forest carbon; issues related to forestry and climate change; issues related to wildfire mitigation; issues related to wildfire suppression (H.R. 1586); issues related to the FIA Blue Ribbon Bill (S.433); issues related to the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 (S.1743 & H.R. 3990); general issues related to an online platform that would make forest health and carbon data available to stakeholders; issues related to educational grant programs to help colleges and universities train the next generation of engineers and architects on how to build with wood and mass timber; general issues to expand and strengthen the Wood Innovation Grant (WIG) program; general issues related to a new pilot program to integrate American-grown, innovative wood products into rural infrastructure and building projects; issues related to The Timber Innovation for Building Rural Communities Act (H.R.5044 & S.2662); issues related to codifying the Forest Service's National Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources program; issues related to the Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424); general issues related to the foreign ownership of agricultural land, issues related to the creation of a Forest Conservation Easement Program (H.R.3424 & S.2631); Fix Our Forests Act (H.R.8790)

Client expense: $320,000 · Firm income: Not reported

2024 Farm Bill A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convene a blue ribbon panel to review the forest inventory and analysis program of the Forest Service, and for other purposes. (S.433) Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023 (S.1111) Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (H.R.9027 / S. 4690) Atomic Energy Advancement Act (H.R.6544) Build Clean Act (no bill number) Clean Electricity & Transmission Acceleration Act of 2023 (H.R.6747) Comments to USDA regarding biofuels and the 45Z tax credit (no bill number) ENABLE Conservation Act of 2023 (H.R.2975) Fix Our Forests Act (H.R.8790) Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R.3424 / S.2631) Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 (H.R.3990 / S.1743) Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act of 2023 (H.R.6515 / S.3371) Modernizing Wildfire Safety and Preventi

Client expense: $430,000 · Firm income: Not reported

FARM BILL: - Asked House Members to support H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Encouraged Senate Members to ask Chairwoman Stabenow to release text. - Listened to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman speak at an AFBF conference on the status of farm bill in the Senate and the strategy moving forward. - Addressed concerns over Title IV - Nutrition - of H.R. 8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Asked PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for their legislator to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - Met with PA delegation's offices to discuss farm bill and a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Signed onto coalition letter supporting farm bill in August. - Asked PA House Republican delegation to sign onto Dear Colleague letter to House Leadership asking them to bring farm bill to the floor. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - No bill # yet, the Farm Ownership Improvement Act, which would require USDA to implement a pre-qualification or pre-approval process for all farmers and ranchers seeking FSA Direct Farm Ownership loans. - S.4168/H.R.4838, the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture. - S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act, which would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. - S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. - S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - S.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.2371/H.R.3139, the ACRE Act, which would exclude from the gross income of certain financial lending institutions, for income tax purposes, interest received on loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate. - S.5101, the Farmer Driven Conservation Outcomes Act, which would authorize USDA to measure, assess, and report on the outcomes associated with its conservation programs. - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. OTHER: - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Reviewed USDA's Recommended Decision for the FMMOs (Docket #: AMS-DA-23-0031). Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs. - Reviewed Chevron Deference case to determine the impact it will have on ag. Supported SCOTUS' decision. Signed onto coalition letter to President Biden to urge suspension of regulatory activity until they review the Loper decision. - Emailed Meuser's office that PFB supports Land O Lakes conservation project. - Reviewed Secretary Vilsack's response letter to Rep. Deluzio's meat processing consolidation letter as a result of a roundtable with Beaver/Lawrence County FB.

Authorizations & Implementation Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act (S.3079/H.R.2468) 2024 Farm Bill (H.R. 8467) - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 5045/S. 2620) Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Disaster Reforestation Act (H.R. 655/S. 217) Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S. 4753) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Excise Tax on sportfishing and archery equipment from foreign manufacturers Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act (H.R. 9602) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (H.R. 7257/S. 3738) Incentivizing REPI Sales Act - proposed legislation Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (S.3754/H.R. 7289) National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (S.4638/H.R.8070) Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation North American Grasslands Conservation Act - proposed legislation Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve (OMNP&P) Establishment Act (S. 4216/H.R. 8182) Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373/H.R. 913) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180)

2024 Farm Bill Americas Revegetation and Carbon Sequestration Act of 2023 (S.2991) Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act of 2023 (H.R.5250 / S.3147) Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R.3424 / S.2631) Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act of 2023 (H.R.6515 / S.3371) Healthy Watersheds, Healthy Communities Act of 2023 (H.R.6497 / S.2636) Lacey Act Amendments of 2023 (H.R.4922 / S.1614) Rural Forest Markets Act of 2023 (H.R.5315 / S.3399)

Client expense: $830,000 · Firm income: Not reported

S.2631 - Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023, all provisions.

Client expense: $70,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: SENATE

Issues related to forestry and forest management, issues related to the development and use of mass timber, issues related to funding for forestry programs at USDA; issues related to expanding the scope of the Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to measure forest carbon; issues related to forestry and climate change; issues related to wildfire mitigation; issues related to wildfire suppression (H.R. 1586); issues related to the FIA Blue Ribbon Bill (S.433); issues related to the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 (S.1743 & H.R. 3990); general issues related to an online platform that would make forest health and carbon data available to stakeholders; issues related to educational grant programs to help colleges and universities train the next generation of engineers and architects on how to build with wood and mass timber; general issues to expand and strengthen the Wood Innovation Grant (WIG) program; general issues related to a new pilot program to integrate American-grown, innovative wood products into rural infrastructure and building projects; issues related to The Timber Innovation for Building Rural Communities Act (H.R.5044 & S.2662); issues related to codifying the Forest Service's National Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources program; issues related to the Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424); general issues related to the foreign ownership of agricultural land, issues related to the creation of a Forest Conservation Easement Program (H.R.3424 & S.2631)

Client expense: $380,000 · Firm income: Not reported

2024 Farm Bill; conservation, forestry, and feral swine provisions; Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, HR8467; Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023, HR3424/S2631.

Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: $40,000

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

FARM BILL: - Asked House Members to support H.R.8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act otherwise known as farm bill. - Monitored, tracked, and gave positions when asked on amendments during the markup of H.R.8467 on May 23. - Encouraged Senate Members to ask Chairwoman Stabenow to release text. - Listened to Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman speak at an AFBF conference on the status of farm bill in the Senate and the strategy moving forward. - Signed onto coalition letter that supported the sugar program changes in H.R.8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Addressed concerns over Title IV - Nutrition - of H.R. 8467 otherwise known as farm bill. - Encouraged PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for Congress to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to Prop 12. - Worked with AFBF on securing votes for farm bill by communicating how conversations went during meetings with legislators and/or staff. - President Hoffman met with PA delegation on May 8 primarily talking about farm bill and to include a legislative fix to Prop 12. Discussed need to be passed on time and Farm Bureau priorities. Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. See Section 24 - Trade - of this report for information on lobbying efforts for Prop 12. - Bailey Fisher also met with legislator's staff throughout the quarter to discuss farm bill priorities and Prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.4168/H.R.4838, the Specialty Crop Security Act, which would increase USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) program authorization from $85 to $100 million per year and expand opportunities for specialty crop stakeholders to provide input into how program funding is used by state departments of agriculture. - S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act, which would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. - S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. - S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - S.2614/H.R.8488, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.4219/H.R.8210, the Future Farmers and Ranchers of Tomorrow Act, which would revise USDAs qualified beginning farmer or rancher definition to allow non-related beginning farmers and ranchers in joint entities to be eligible for FSA loans. - S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which would would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. OTHER: - Attended Representative Deluzio's agricultural roundtable to discuss PFB priorities (farm bill, Prop 12, ag labor reform, whole milk in schools, etc.) - Attended Representative Wild's agricultural roundtable to discuss PFB priorities (farm bill, Prop 12, ag labor reform, whole milk in schools, etc.) - Reviewed the following rulemakings from USDA: Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0046); Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-22-0046); Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0044); and Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity under the Packers and Stockyards Act (Docket #: AMS-FTPP-21-0045). - Emailed Representative Meuser's office that PFB is supportive of a Congressional letter to urge USDA to weigh the interests of our mushroom industry very heavily in their consideration of new organics standards. - Had discussions with AFBF about taking a position on the Organic Imports Verification Act. The bill has yet to be introduced. - Emailed letter to RMA asking for PA to have the opportunity for double crop soybean insurance. - Emailed Representative Kelly's office that PFB is neutral on a bill that would help producers doing vertical farming due to the absence of policy. - Advocacy work on the Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMMOs). Specifically, supported a switchback either by USDA or Congress for the higher of in Class I milk. Additionally, asked Congress Members to support requiring mandatory audited surveying for make allowance changes in the FMMOs.

Authorizations & Implementation Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act (S.3079/H.R.2468) 2024 Farm Bill (H.R. 8467) - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 5045/S. 2620) Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Disaster Reforestation Act (H.R. 655/S. 217) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024 (H.R. 7257/S. 3738) Incentivizing REPI Sales Act - proposed legislation Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (S.3754/H.R. 7289) National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (S.4638/H.R.8070) Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve (OMNP&P) Establishment Act (S 4216/H.R. 8182) Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373/H.R. 913) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180)

S.2226, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, provisions relating to foreign ownership of agriculture land. H.R.6717/S.231, Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2023, all provisions. H.R.7609, Biomass for Transportation Fuel Act, all provisions. S.2631, Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023, all provisions. Issues related to funding for the University of Maines Center for Advanced Forestry Systems program.

Client expense: $170,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE

FARM BILL: - Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on farm bill. - Discussed need to be passed on time, supporting a one-year extension, Farm Bureau priorities. - Listened to legislators' concerns with farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. - Encouraged PFB members to complete AFBF's advocacy email asking for Congress to pass a farm bill ASAP and include a legislative fix to prop 12. - President Hoffman met with PA delegation on 2/6, 2/7, and 2/8 primarily talking about farm bill and to include a legislative fix to prop 12. ASKED TO SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING: - S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act, which would mandate cost and yield surveying of processors to participate in the NDPSR survey every two years. - S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act, which would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. - S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act, which would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. - S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act, which would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. - S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act, which would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. - S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act, which would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. - S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act, which would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. - S.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act, which would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. - H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act, which would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. ASKED TO OPPOSE THE FOLLOWING: - S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act, which would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. NEUTRAL/MONITORED BUT NOT LOBBIED BILLS: - S.1842/H.R.6687, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, would amend the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to establish a new category of animal food additives. - Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act, which would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. - Monitored H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act, which would require USDA to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. OTHER: - Drafted letter to RMA asking for PA to have the opportunity for double crop soybean insurance. - Signed onto letter to USDA asking for an emergency authorization to return the higher of for Class I milk pricing.

Issues related to forestry and forest management, issues related to the development and use of mass timber, issues related to funding for forestry programs at USDA; issues related to expanding the scope of the Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis Program to measure forest carbon; issues related to forestry and climate change; issues related to wildfire mitigation; issues related to wildfire suppression (H.R. 1586); issues related to the FIA Blue Ribbon Bill (S.433); issues related to the Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 (S.1743 & H.R. 3990); general issues related to an online platform that would make forest health and carbon data available to stakeholders; issues related to educational grant programs to help colleges and universities train the next generation of engineers and architects on how to build with wood and mass timber; general issues to expand and strengthen the Wood Innovation Grant (WIG) program; general issues related to a new pilot program to integrate American-grown, innovative wood products into rural infrastructure and building projects; issues related to The Timber Innovation for Building Rural Communities Act (H.R.5044 & S.2662); issues related to codifying the Forest Service's National Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources program; issues related to the Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424); general issues related to the foreign ownership of agricultural land, issues related to the creation of a Forest Conservation Easement Program (H.R.3424 & S.2631)

Client expense: $340,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Authorizations & Implementation Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act (S.3079/H.R.2468) The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2023 (2023 Farm Bill). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act (H.R. 5045/S. 2620) Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act (S.3754/H.R. 7289) National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373/H.R. 913) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180)

Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on the 2023 Farm Bill. Discussed need to be passed on time, supporting a one-year extension, Farm Bureau priorities (AFBF, PFB, and Northeast state Farm Bureaus), and listened to legislators' current concerns with provisions in the farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives Matt Rosendale (R-MT) and Chrissy Houlahan (R-PA). This bill would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR). This bill would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA). This bill would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Dan Meuser (R-PA). This bill would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN). This bill would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives James Baird (R-IN) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This bill would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. Asked PA Senate Members to support S.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). This bill would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. Asked PA House and Senate Members to oppose S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). This bill would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Ann Kuster (D-NH). This bill would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. Asked PA House Members to support and co-sponsor H.R.4856, the GusNIP Expansion Act by Representatives Rick Crawford (R-AR) and Daniel Kildee (D-MI). This bill would enhance and expand the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which awards competitive grant funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies for projects that provide incentives to income-eligible consumers to increase their purchase of fruits and vegetables. Monitored H.R.1624, the Puppy Protection Act by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and James McGovern (D-MA). Worked on testimony for PFB at USDA's federal milk marketing orders hearing. Had discussions with AFBF on what to include in PFB's testimony for the federal milk marketing orders. Conducted Hill visits with President Hoffman on 10/24, 10/25, 12/11, and 12/14 primarily talking about farm bill and proposition 12. President Hoffman met with Representative "GT" Thompson and Region 3 EPA Administrator on 12/21 to discuss current environmental issues impacting agriculture.

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2023 (2023 Farm Bill). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake Bay National Recreation Area designation - potential legislation Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Keep Americas Waterfronts Working Act (H.R. 6641) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670/S. 2226) - Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Department of the Interior - confirmation of Laura Daniel-Davis as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) regarding Compensatory Mitigation Mechanisms U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act document on Migratory Bird Permits, Authorizing Incidental Take of Migratory Birds (Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2021_0105). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Compensatory Mitigation Policy Working Waterfronts Preservation Act (S. 3180)

Had several conversations with PA House and Senate Members on the 2023 Farm Bill. Discussed need to be passed on time, Farm Bureau priorities (AFBF, PFB, and Northeast state Farm Bureaus), and listened to legislators' current concerns with provisions in the farm bill as well as their individual priorities for the legislation. Testified at a federal farm bill hearing hosted by PA House and Senate Ag. Chairman Thompson and Ag Committee staff were present to hear PFB's farm bill asks. Listened to Chairman Thompson's Farm Bill Listening Session at the Allentown Fair. Op-ed was published written by President Hoffman on nutrition access in farm bill. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support and co-sponsor S.980/H.R.3755, the Industrial Hemp Act by Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives Matt Rosendale (R-MT) and Chrissy Houlahan (R-PA). This bill would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1867/H.R.3922, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR). This bill would direct USDA to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1837/H.R.3867, the Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA). This bill would designate spotted lanternflies as a high priority pest under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to direct more federal research dollars to combat these devastating insects. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1816/H.R.3815, the Protecting Mushroom Farmers Act by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Dan Meuser (R-PA). This bill would require a USDA study on providing crop insurance for mushroom farmers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1014/H.R.1756, the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Representative Nick Langworthy (R-NY). This bill would initiate a Federal Order Hearing within 180 days in addition to giving USDA the needed authority to cost survey dairy product manufacturers. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.2458/H.R.3904, the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD) and Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN). This bill would help our next generation of farmers by aligning the definition of Beginning Farmers to match that of other USDA programs - 10 crop years or less instead of the status quo of 5 crop years or less. Signed onto letter supporting S.2458/H.R.3904. Asked PA House and Senate Members to support S.1400/H.R.3036, the Increased TSP Access Act by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and Representatives James Baird (R-IN) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). This bill would help streamline the technical service provider (TSP) certification at NRCS and leverage the programs and technical expertise of NRCS to make conservation programs available to more farmers and on more land. Asked PA Senate Members to support S.2614, the Farmer to Farmer Education Act by Senators Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Jerry Moran (R-KS). This bill would allow farmer-to-farmer groups to develop cooperative agreements with USDA to share conservation concepts and new practices. Signed onto letter supporting S.2614. Asked PA House and Senate Members to oppose S.658/H.R.5252, the EQIP Improvement Act by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R-UT) and Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT) and Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ). This bill would create severe consequences to the EQIP program for animal agriculture operations by targeting livestock operations conservation project funding. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.2631/H.R.3424, the Forest Conservation Easement Program (FCEP) Act by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Trent Kelly (R-MS) and Ann Kuster (D-NH). This bill would prevent the conversion of forests into non-forest areas by authorizing funding to purchase development rights from willing private landowners. Informed PA House and Senate Members that Farm Bureau remains neutral on S.907/H.R.2814, the Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption (PRIME) Act by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Jared Golden (D-ME). This bill would exempt from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses. Worked on testimony for PFB at USDA's federal milk marketing orders hearing. Had discussions with AFBF on what to include in PFB's testimony for the federal milk marketing orders. Conducted Hill visits with President Hoffman the week of July 10th, primarily talking about farm bill. Conducted a fly-in visit on September 13 and 14th with PFB members to visits with their legislators and advocate for PFB's priorities: farm bill, dairy, waters of the U.S., ag labor, PFAS, and sustainability. Asked PA House Members to sign onto Representative Jackson's letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding USDA's delay in distributing the disaster assistance funds that were appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2022 crop losses.

The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2023 (2023 Farm Bill). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Regional Conservation Partnership Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Conservation Innovation Grants, Conservation Reserve Program, forest production, drought resilience, and climate resilience, conservation technical assistance; USDA U.S. Forest Service: National Forest System land adjustments, Forest Legacy Program, Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, Forest Stewardship Program, Landscape Scale Restoration Program, wildfire resilience, carbon markets, technical assistance to private forest landowners, private forest tax incentives, reforesting and restoring public forestland, forest connectivity and migration corridors, Urban and Community Forests program, forest products, forest and climate data, Good Neighbor Authority, forestry research; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program; USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service: Rural Business Development Grants; USDA: Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program, Local Agriculture Market Program, timber markets and trade. Chesapeake Bay National Recreation Area designation - potential legislation Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (S. 594 /H.R. 1317) Farmland Access Act (S.2507) Federal Highway Administration Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program - implementation Federal Solar Energy Guidelines - proposed Forest Conservation Easement Program Act of 2023 (H.R. 3424/S. 2631) Increasing Land, Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (H.R. 3955/S. 2340) Land and Water Conservation Fund - implementation Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act National 30x30 (America the Beautiful) goal - to conserve 30% of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (H.R. 2670/S. 2226) - Department of Defense: Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (also known as Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program) National Park Service Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investing in Coastal Communities and Climate Resilience funding - implementation Real Estate Like-kind Exchanges (1031 exchanges) Recovering Americas Wildlife Act (S. 1149) Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act (S. 373) State and Local Tax limitation - legislation (proposed) to exempt conservation donations from the State and Local Tax limitation U.S. Department of the Interior - confirmation of Laura Daniel-Davis as Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) regarding Compensatory Mitigation Mechanisms U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Notice of Intent to prepare a National Environmental Policy Act document on Migratory Bird Permits, Authorizing Incidental Take of Migratory Birds (Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2021_0105). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Wide Mitigation Policies U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Compensatory Mitigation Policy