FT 18.01 Frémont Healthy Soil Act (Statute)

[Anna Komnene]

A BILL
To promote sustainable agriculture through soil carbon management.

Be it enacted by the Parliament of Frémont assembled;

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Frémont Healthy Soil Act.

Section 2. Establishing a Healthy Soil Program in Frémont
1. The Frémont Healthy Soil Program is established, under the purview of the Frémont Department of Agriculture, to promote and support farming and ranching systems that increase soil organic matter and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the region.
2. $15 million shall be appropriated to fund this program.

Section 3. Definitions
1. "Healthy Soil" means soil that increases its organic matter and improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity;
2. "Soil Health Principles" include:
(a) keeping soil covered;
(b) minimizing soil disturbance on cropland;
(c) maximizing biodiversity;
(d) integrating animals into land management, including grazing animals, beneficial insects or earthworms;
(e) addition of new trees, which do not produce fruit, to a prairie or agricultural landscape.

Section 4. Healthy Soil Education Program
1. The Department shall collaborate with regional, state, and tribal entities with expertise implementing healthy soil programs to:
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
(c) facilitate on-site workshops to promote soil health principles;
(d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter and microbiology of soils.

Section 5. Healthy Soil Grants
1. award grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and educators in advancing soil health principles;
2. grants shall be awarded equitably with priority given to young producers, small farms or ranches or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;

Section 6. Administration Priorities
1. In administering the program, the department shall support local economic growth and shall:
(a) identify ways to increase the generation and use of compost to build healthy soils;
(b) support the emerging market for food grown in Frémont under management for healthy soil.

Section 7. Effectiveness
1. This act is effective immediately upon passage.

Sponsor: Siren

The floor is open for minimum 72 hours of debate.

[Anna Komnene]

There's sort of an ongoing debate between conservation and efficiency with green technologies. While I tend to be more on the conservation side of things, I can understand the argument for efficiency. So when something comes along that can achieve both, it's pretty exciting!

Unfortunately, many conventional farming practices actually erode the soil's ability to store carbon and eventually lead to less fertile soil. This both hurts farming and contributes to climate change and other natural problems like drought and floods. However, soil is very effective at storing carbon in the right conditions. By using sustainable farming practices such as planting crops year round with cover plants, farmers can both reduce emissions to combat climate change and increase the soil's fertility and ability to produce more crops. Win-win!

While a few states have done healthy soils bills irl (like Nebraska and New Mexico, the state I based this bill on), it hasn't really caught on yet. So this is a great opportunity for Frémont to be a leader in sustainable agriculture.

I am definitely open to ways to improve on this, so feel free.

[OBD]

This bill looks good. I'm not familiar with the specifics of this issue, though.

[Anna Komnene]

Thanks. Here are some articles if you want to read up on it. It's pretty interesting. Basically it's all about maintaining the "carbon sink" properties of soil so that it isn't all getting released into the air, and farmers don't have to rely so much on fertilizers and pesticides to grow their produce.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/soil_as_carbon_storehouse_new_weapon_in_climate_fight
https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2018/02/21/can-soil-help-combat-climate-change/
https://pasafarming.org/cultivating-healthy-soil-to-help-fight-climate-change/

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

My comment is basically the same as OBD's.

Does Section 4. include courses or workshops at agricultural colleges too? After all, no place is more designated to Education than schools and universities.

[OBD]

My comment is basically the same as OBD's.

Does Section 4. include courses or workshops at agricultural colleges too? After all, no place is more designated to Education than schools and universities.

That's actually a very good idea. University courses on agriculture should definitely include this.

[Anna Komnene]

My comment is basically the same as OBD's.

Does Section 4. include courses or workshops at agricultural colleges too? After all, no place is more designated to Education than schools and universities.

Good idea. We can add it in with an amendment, if you'd like to write one.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Section 4. Healthy Soil Education Program
1. The Department shall collaborate with regional, state, and tribal entities with expertise implementing healthy soil programs to:
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
(c) facilitate on-site workshops to promote soil health principles;
(d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter and microbiology of soils;
(e) promote the teaching of healthy soil principles in agricultural colleges.

Section 5. Healthy Soil Grants
1. award grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and educators in advancing soil health principles;
2. grants shall be awarded equitably with priority given to young producers, small farms or ranches or universities or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;

This should go? Wow my first legislative action!

[Anna Komnene]

Looks good. Woohoo!

The amendment is friendly. Members have 24 hours to object.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I like the look of this! As the speaker correctly notes, Frémont is uniquely situated as the breadbasket of the nation to be a leader in agricultural innovation.

[Anna Komnene]

With no objections, Battista's amendment is adopted.

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

May we move to a final vote on this bill?

It seems to me we are all fine with it.

[Anna Komnene]

Sure. Unless anyone has anything to add, I'll open a final vote tomorrow night.

[Anna Komnene]

With no objections, we'll now have a final vote on this bill. Members please vote AYE, NAY, or ABSTAIN.

A BILL
To promote sustainable agriculture through soil carbon management.

Be it enacted by the Parliament of Frémont assembled;

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Frémont Healthy Soil Act.

Section 2. Establishing a Healthy Soil Program in Frémont
1. The Frémont Healthy Soil Program is established, under the purview of the Frémont Department of Agriculture, to promote and support farming and ranching systems that increase soil organic matter and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the region.
2. $15 million shall be appropriated to fund this program.

Section 3. Definitions
1. "Healthy Soil" means soil that increases its organic matter and improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity;
2. "Soil Health Principles" include:
(a) keeping soil covered;
(b) minimizing soil disturbance on cropland;
(c) maximizing biodiversity;
(d) integrating animals into land management, including grazing animals, beneficial insects or earthworms;
(e) addition of new trees, which do not produce fruit, to a prairie or agricultural landscape.

Section 4. Healthy Soil Education Program
1. The Department shall collaborate with regional, state, and tribal entities with expertise implementing healthy soil programs to:
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
(c) facilitate on-site workshops to promote soil health principles;
(d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter and microbiology of soils.
(e) promote the teaching of healthy soil principles in agricultural colleges.

Section 5. Healthy Soil Grants
1. award grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and educators in advancing soil health principles;
2. grants shall be awarded equitably with priority given to young producers, small farms or ranches or universities or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;

Section 6. Administration Priorities
1. In administering the program, the department shall support local economic growth and shall:
(a) identify ways to increase the generation and use of compost to build healthy soils;
(b) support the emerging market for food grown in Frémont under management for healthy soil.

Section 7. Effectiveness
1. This act is effective immediately upon passage.

[Anna Komnene]

Aye

[𝕭𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖆 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖔𝖑𝖆]

Aye

[OBD]

Aye

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Aye.

[Anna Komnene]

With 4 votes in favor, this bill passes the Frémont Parliament. It now awaits the First Minister's action.

A BILL
To promote sustainable agriculture through soil carbon management.

Be it enacted by the Parliament of Frémont assembled;

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Frémont Healthy Soil Act.

Section 2. Establishing a Healthy Soil Program in Frémont
1. The Frémont Healthy Soil Program is established, under the purview of the Frémont Department of Agriculture, to promote and support farming and ranching systems that increase soil organic matter and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the region.
2. $15 million shall be appropriated to fund this program.

Section 3. Definitions
1. "Healthy Soil" means soil that increases its organic matter and improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity;
2. "Soil Health Principles" include:
(a) keeping soil covered;
(b) minimizing soil disturbance on cropland;
(c) maximizing biodiversity;
(d) integrating animals into land management, including grazing animals, beneficial insects or earthworms;
(e) addition of new trees, which do not produce fruit, to a prairie or agricultural landscape.

Section 4. Healthy Soil Education Program
1. The Department shall collaborate with regional, state, and tribal entities with expertise implementing healthy soil programs to:
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
(c) facilitate on-site workshops to promote soil health principles;
(d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter and microbiology of soils.
(e) promote the teaching of healthy soil principles in agricultural colleges.

Section 5. Healthy Soil Grants
1. award grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and educators in advancing soil health principles;
2. grants shall be awarded equitably with priority given to young producers, small farms or ranches or universities or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;

Section 6. Administration Priorities
1. In administering the program, the department shall support local economic growth and shall:
(a) identify ways to increase the generation and use of compost to build healthy soils;
(b) support the emerging market for food grown in Frémont under management for healthy soil.

Section 7. Effectiveness
1. This act is effective immediately upon passage.

Frémont House of Commons
Passed 4-0-0 in the Frémont Parliament Assembled,

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

A BILL
To promote sustainable agriculture through soil carbon management.

Be it enacted by the Parliament of Frémont assembled;

Section 1. Title

This legislation may be cited as the Frémont Healthy Soil Act.

Section 2. Establishing a Healthy Soil Program in Frémont
1. The Frémont Healthy Soil Program is established, under the purview of the Frémont Department of Agriculture, to promote and support farming and ranching systems that increase soil organic matter and water retention to improve the health, yield and profitability of the soils of the region.
2. $15 million shall be appropriated to fund this program.

Section 3. Definitions
1. "Healthy Soil" means soil that increases its organic matter and improves its structure and water- and nutrient-holding capacity;
2. "Soil Health Principles" include:
(a) keeping soil covered;
(b) minimizing soil disturbance on cropland;
(c) maximizing biodiversity;
(d) integrating animals into land management, including grazing animals, beneficial insects or earthworms;
(e) addition of new trees, which do not produce fruit, to a prairie or agricultural landscape.

Section 4. Healthy Soil Education Program
1. The Department shall collaborate with regional, state, and tribal entities with expertise implementing healthy soil programs to:
(a) encourage farmers and ranchers to undertake voluntary soil health measurements;
(b) raise awareness about desirable soil health characteristics;
(c) facilitate on-site workshops to promote soil health principles;
(d) complete a baseline soil health assessment by testing the organic matter and microbiology of soils.
(e) promote the teaching of healthy soil principles in agricultural colleges.

Section 5. Healthy Soil Grants
1. award grants to assist farmers, ranchers, and educators in advancing soil health principles;
2. grants shall be awarded equitably with priority given to young producers, small farms or ranches or universities or for projects that benefit economically or socially disadvantaged communities;

Section 6. Administration Priorities
1. In administering the program, the department shall support local economic growth and shall:
(a) identify ways to increase the generation and use of compost to build healthy soils;
(b) support the emerging market for food grown in Frémont under management for healthy soil.

Section 7. Effectiveness
1. This act is effective immediately upon passage.

Frémont House of Commons
Passed 4-0-0 in the Frémont Parliament Assembled,