S. 1209: American Prairie Conservation Act

This bill, titled the American Prairie Conservation Act, proposes amendments to the Federal Crop Insurance Act and the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. The main focus of the bill is on the management and certification of native sod when it is converted for agricultural use. Below are the key components of the bill:

1. Certification of Native Sod Conversion

The bill requires that producers who till native sod land for insurable crop production must certify this land to the Secretary of Agriculture. This certification process includes:

• Filing an acreage report using a specific form from the Farm Service Agency.
• Submitting one or more maps that outline the tilled acreage.

2. Reporting Changes

Producers are also mandated to report any changes in the acreage that they have certified. These reports must be submitted as soon as the producer becomes aware of any changes to their tilled native sod land.

3. Annual Reports to Congress

The Secretary of Agriculture is required to submit annual reports, starting January 1, 2026 and continuing through January 1, 2030. These reports will detail the amount of certified tilled native sod acreage by county and state, providing transparency and ongoing oversight of native sod conversion practices.

4. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance

Similar certification and reporting requirements are established under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance program for producers tilling native sod. This includes the same obligations regarding documentation and annual reporting to Congress.

5. Goals of the Legislation

The intended goals of this legislation center around sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of native ecosystems while providing necessary assistance and oversight for farmers who convert native land for crop production.

Relevant Companies

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