Good Steward Cover Crop Program

Subtitle A of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

525.

Good Steward Cover Crop Program

(a)

In general

Beginning with crop year 2023, the Secretary shall carry out a program (to be known as the Good Steward Cover Crop Program) to provide additional premium subsidies to producers for each acre—(1)on which qualifying cover crops are planted during a crop year; and(2)for which the producers—(A)during such crop year—(i)plant crops other than the qualifying cover crops; and(ii)purchase insurance under a covered insurance program with respect to such planted crops; and(B)file a report of acreage form to the Secretary with respect to such crop year. (b)

Premium subsidy amount

(1)

In general

Except as provided paragraph (2), an additional premium subsidy to a producer under subsection (a) shall be—(A)calculated on a common land unit or equivalent or more precise basis; and(B)be in an amount equal to—(i)$5, multiplied by(ii)the number of acres of the producer described in such subsection.(2)

Limitation

An additional premium subsidy under paragraph (1) shall not exceed the amount of the premium owed by the producer with respect to the acres described in subsection (a).(3)

Rule with respect to a producer-share

For purposes of the limitation under paragraph (2), an additional premium subsidy shall be modified to reflect the individual producer share of such acres. (c)

Outreach with respect to program

(1)

Coordination with FSA and NRCS

The Secretary shall, in coordination with the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency and the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, carry out outreach to producers, including underserved producers, to provide information with respect to—(A)the program under this section, including eligibility for the program and the additional premium subsidies under the program; and(B)qualifying cover crops.(2)

Cooperative agreements for outreach

The Secretary shall enter into one or more cooperative agreements with organizations capable of assisting with outreach with respect to the program under this section to—(A)carry out such outreach; and(B)coordinate with soil and water conservation districts to encourage the adoption of qualifying cover crop practices.(d)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall, in coordination with the Administrator of the Risk Management Agency, the Administrator of the Farm Service Agency, and the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, submit to Congress a report that includes—(1)a summary of the activities carried out under this section, including—(A)the number and amount of premium subsidies provided to producers under this section;(B)the number of acres of cover crops planted for which a premium subsidy was received; and(C)the outreach carried out under subsection (c); and(2)recommendations to increase the number of producers that qualify for the additional premium subsidies under the program under this section. (e)

Funding

(1)

Mandatory funding

Of the funds of the Corporation, the Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.(2)

Reservation for technical assistance, outreach, and program support

Of the amounts made available under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve $5,000,000 to carry out technical assistance, outreach, and program support with respect to the program under this section. (f)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Covered insurance program

The term covered insurance program means a plan of insurance offered by the Corporation, as determined by the Secretary.(2)

Qualifying cover crop

The term qualifying cover crop means cereals or other grasses, legumes, brassicas, non-legume broadleaves, or any combination thereof that are planted for conservation purposes in accordance with—(A)Natural Resources Conservation Service guidance; and(B)additional expert guidance, as determined by the Secretary.(3)

Underserved producer

The term underserved producer has the meaning given the term in section 508(a)(7)(A)(ii).

Soil health pilot program

Section 523 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1523) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(j)

Soil health pilot program

(1)

In general

In addition to any other authority of the Corporation, the Corporation shall establish and carry out a pilot program under which a producer who uses innovative soil health practices may receive additional premium subsidies on multiperil crop insurance, as determined by the Corporation. (2)

Terms and conditions

The additional premium subsidies offered under the soil health pilot program under this subsection shall— (A)be offered through reinsurance arrangements with private insurance companies; (B)be actuarially sound; and (C)require the payment of premiums and administrative fees by a producer obtaining the insurance. (3)

Location

The Corporation shall conduct the soil health pilot program under this subsection in a number of counties that is determined by the Corporation to be adequate to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the feasibility, effectiveness, and demand among producers for the risk management tools evaluated in the pilot program. (4)

Duration

The Corporation shall commence the soil health pilot program under this subsection as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this subsection.