Press Releases

WASHINGTON -- United States Representative John Duarte (CA-13) joined a bipartisan coalition to introduce the Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs.  Co-leading this legislation are Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), David Rouzer (NC-07), Jim Costa (CA-21), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5).

Current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations disproportionately limit those producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs.  Those limitations have not kept pace with inflation.  These barriers reduce the overall impact of federal efforts to conserve our environment and empower farmers to conserve valuable lands.

“Efforts like the GATES Act will help increase participation in conservation programs while keeping federal funding associated with these programs directed at those who are on the ground working in and improving our agricultural communities,” said Rep. Duarte.  “The GATES Act is especially impactful for California because the existing Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitation of $900,000 for certain conservation programs disqualifies many hardworking farmers in the state due to their production of high value agricultural products.”

Specifically, the GATES Act would:

• Exempt the AGI limitation for farms that get 75% of their income from farming or related farming practices (agri-tourism, direct-to-consumer marketing of agricultural products, sale of agricultural equipment owned by person or entity, and other agriculture-related activities, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture).
• This would apply to the following conservation programs:
  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
  • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

The GATES Act is endorsed by; the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, Western Growers, and California Farm Bureau.