The Compost Act Made It to the Playoffs

By Linda Norris-Waldt

Advocacy, Corporate Relations & Chapter Relations Director

USCC advocates are virtually walking the halls of Congress as they meet with staffs of members, both on and off the agriculture committees of both houses, to make them aware of The COMPOST Act, HR4443 and S2388.

The identical bicameral bills, calling for $2B in compost facility and program infrastructure development and on-farm compost use accepted as a USDA Conservation Practice, was introduced July 16, 2021. So far, 10 USCC member teams have met with staffs of Congressional members. USCC chapters have been the primary drivers of these meetings; thanks especially to COCC, NJCC, NCCC,VCC and TNCC for their efforts. Other chapters have been reaching out as well and are still working on scheduling meetings.

To date, there are 14 cosponsors on the House bills, including Rep. Julia Brownley of CA, Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine; Rep. Ann Kuster of New Hampshire; Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington, DC; Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island; Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon; Rep. Emanual Cleaver of Missouri; Rep. Mike Levin of California; Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon; Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois; and Rep. Marie Newman of Illinois. Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia signed onto the bill after a meeting with VCC; Rep. Joe Neguse signed on after a meeting with COCC; and Rep. Jamie Raskin signed on after an ask from MD-DC.

The bill did not make it into the infrastructure package. Currently, attempts are being made to have the provisions included in the House Reconciliation package, but there has been no confirmation of funding there. Congressional staff are indicating that, in spring 2022, the provisions may be discussed as part of the next Farm Bill.