Farm Bill Could Increase Funding to Control Ag Runoff to Chesapeake

Farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed stand to get more financial help from the federal government to reduce polluted runoff from fields and feedlots under the new Farm Bill passed by Congress in December.

The legislation, which replaces the 2014 Farm Bill, tweaked funding for farm conservation programs in a way that significantly increases the pot of federal money for which Bay watershed farmers and partnering organizations can compete.

Specifically, it triples to $300 million the funding for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which provides financial and technical assistance fo...