House Approves Irvin Bill to Help PA Farmers Establish Best Management Practices
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) that would revise and reestablish a low-interest loan program administered by the State Conservation Commission in conjunction with lending institutions for the implementation of agricultural and conservation best management practices.
“I want to thank my colleagues in the House for supporting this legislation, which seeks to provide financial assistance to farmers who want to follow established best management practices but lack the funds for implementation,” said Irvin.
Under a regulatory agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other Chesapeake Bay states, Pennsylvania is obligated to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The installation of agricultural best management practices is fundamental to the strategy to meet this obligation; however, funding assistance continues to be a challenge.
House Bill 1526 is part of a multi-bill package designed to grow and enhance Pennsylvania’s agricultural community.
Among the other bills in the package are ones to create a Rapid Response Disaster Readiness Account to ensure a quick state-level response to threats such as invasive species or disease; establish a Pennsylvania Agricultural Business Development Center to help farmers create a business plan, transition plan or succession plan; and revive the PA Farm-to-School Program to support child nutrition.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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