SB 660 Summary

• Establishes a Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Agriculture to promote soil health management practices among farmers, ranchers, and land managers.

• Program components include creating a soil assessment and education program, providing technical assistance, operating a healthy soil grants program, and administering existing financial incentives such as compost and cover crop reimbursement programs.

• Department shall establish a statewide network of soil health champions, conduct soil baseline assessments testing organic matter, water infiltration, microbiology and aggregate stability, and sponsor workshops and training sessions throughout the state.

• Authorizes the department to award grants to eligible entities for technical assistance and to eligible farmers and land managers implementing soil health practices, with priority consideration for young producers, veterans, small farms, and disadvantaged communities.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to establish the program and issue grants; requires annual progress reports to the legislature.