FLA Commends Senate Agriculture Committee’s Release of the 2024 Farm Bill

The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and the Senate Agriculture Committee for unveiling the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, commonly known as the Farm Bill. This landmark legislation provides essential support for rural economies, conservation initiatives, and disaster recovery, delivering critical tools for private forest landowners.

FLA is particularly encouraged by the inclusion of provisions to enhance and streamline the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. These improvements will make it easier for forest landowners to recover and reforest after natural disasters, ensuring landowners can have upfront payments and expanding eligibility for participation by including wildfires spread by natural causes as well as those that started on federal lands.

“The Senate’s proposal includes critical tools that forest landowners rely on for disaster recovery and long-term forest management,” said Craig Anderson, Director of Government Affairs for the Forest Landowners Association. “We are eager to see Congress work together during the lame-duck session to deliver a bipartisan, comprehensive Farm Bill that supports private forest landowners and rural communities alike.”

This announcement follows the bipartisan passage of the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill earlier this year. FLA encourages Congress to prioritize reconciling the House and Senate versions to deliver a unified bill that addresses the challenges of private landowners while supporting rural prosperity. 

For more details on the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill, visit their website here. To learn more about FLA’s response to the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill, read our write-up here.