Environmental Laws and Policy

Describes EPA "laws and regulations that apply to your agricultural operation" listed by farm activity or by statute.

The Ag Center is the "first stop" for information on environmental requirements that affect the agricultural community. Online documents include publications about pollution prevention and environmental compliance aids originating with EPA and other sources.

Describes policy instruments, ranging from voluntary to regulatory, through which government can promote the "production" of environmental quality.

Directory of laws, by state, compiled in cooperation with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Site includes Congressional reports, agency listings, Center reports and references to statutes, case law and other government information pertinent to sustainable, conservation and organic agriculture. Related Reading Rooms: Conservation Programs, Environmental Law Local Food Systems, National Organic Program, and Pesticides.

ERS analysts examine the economic effects of current farm legislation on producers, consumers, taxpayers and rural communities, and evaluate potential effects of alternative policies and programs. Includes details of commodity, conservation and energy programs as well as comparisons with previous Farm Bills.

The Wallace Center's publications includes classic policy analyses, environment assessments and symposium proceedings.

Reports and data on the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of policies and programs directed toward improving the environmental performance of the agricultural sector.

This report examines the business, operator and household characteristics of farms that have adopted certain conservation-compatible practices, with and without financial assistance from government conservation programs.

Economics professor Thomas Dobbs describes two alternative visions for U.S. agriculture - "the global competitiveness vision" and the "sustainable agriculture vision" - together with farm policy reform proposals associated with each vision. Economics Commentator (South Dakota State University, 2007) no. 483.