Sustainable Bioenergy, Farms, and Forests - September 19, 2014

A weekly look at sustainable bioenergy, farm, and forest policy issues

 

 

 

 

House Hearing on Soil Conveys Clear Message: ‘Stop Treating Our Soil Like Dirt’

On September 18, just as legislative business wound down before the November mid-terms, the House Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry held a hearing on a topic that even a partisan Congress appears to agree on – the importance of soil health.  At the hearing, “the Benefits of Promoting Soil Health in Agriculture and Rural America,” ranking member Thompson (R-PA) and ranking member Walz (D-MN), both underscored the importance of conservation programs, including those conservation practices outlined in the 2014 Farm Bill in promoting soil health. Soil may not sound like a glamorous topic – but it is a keystone to environmental quality. It plays a critical role in agricultural productivity, clean water, carbon sequestration, and the farmer’s bottom line. While witnesses catalogued many successes in conservation practices, particularly with the use of cover crops, the panel made clear just how much more work there is to be done to ensure the health of one of our most precious natural resources -- soil. 

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Events: 

 

Update on Cellulosic Biofuel Production

Monday October 6, 2014
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 
Captial Hill Office Building (Location TBA)
Free and open to the public

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to a briefing examining recent developments in cellulosic biofuels production.  Please check the EESI website closer to the date for additional information. 

 

 

 

To Contact the Editor: Jessie Stolark at [email protected]

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