Jul. 02, 2019
HARRISBURG – Legislation authored by Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) to revise and reestablish the current Agriculture-Linked Investment Program (Agri-Link), which provides state funding for and may subsidize the interest rate on private loans used for agricultural best management practices (BMPs), was signed into law as Act 37 of 2019.
The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission in conjunction with lending institutions.
“Our farmers work hard to feed our nation, and they do so while navigating many complex regulations and mandates,” said Irvin. “This new law will help provide financial assistance to those farmers who want to follow established best management practices but lack the funds for implementation.”
Under a regulatory agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and other Chesapeake Bay states, Pennsylvania is obligated to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The installation of agricultural best management practices is fundamental to the strategy to meet this obligation; however, funding assistance continues to be a challenge.
Irvin’s legislation was part of a multi-bill package signed into law that is designed to grow and enhance Pennsylvania’s agricultural community.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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