U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry

05/19/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2023 11:38

Chairwoman Stabenow Applauds Funding for Improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program

WASHINGTON - Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's announcement of $500 million in available funding for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for fiscal year 2023. The announcement included streamlined policies to efficiently implement the program for farmers, ranchers, and local partners.

Chairwoman Stabenow said: "I'm pleased that USDA is streamlining the process of getting these resources to producers, partners and communities around the country. This funding supports the efforts of small businesses, local governments, farmers and ranchers, and conservation leaders to build local partnerships to improve water quality and create new habitats for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation."

Chairwoman Stabenow authored the RCPP program in the 2014 Farm Bill, creating a first-of-its-kind approach to conservation through local partnerships between agriculture and conservation groups to improve water quality, restore habitats, and protect the Great Lakes. These locally led partnerships leverage private and public dollars to address regional conservation issues.

More information about today's announcement can be found here.

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