Sen. Markey, Reps. Garbarino, Houlahan Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Prioritize Grants and Research on Natural Climate Solutions

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (June 9, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, along with Representatives Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) today reintroduced the Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act to include natural climate solutions as a high-priority research and extension initiative for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Natural climate solutions, or land management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, are a key component of climate action. They include cost-effective practices like wetland restoration, reforestation, cover crop planting, or rotational grazing. This legislation would ensure that competitive specialized research and extension grants made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture extend to these natural climate solutions, helping to lower emissions.

"Farmers and landowners have felt the devastating impacts of climate change for years, and they work hard to protect their farms and the environment from harm," said Senator Markey. "It is time that the federal government provide them with the resources they need to fight back and lower emissions. The Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act will plant the American agricultural sector at the forefront of global sustainable land management and grow a new generation of climate-smart agricultural practices. I am proud to partner with Representatives Garbarino and Houlahan in this effort."

"Farmers and landowners play a critical role in protecting our natural resources, and they should have access to the best research and tools available to help them do that work. This legislation would support practical conservation practices and help ensure that the USDA invests in solutions that work for producers and communities alike. I'm proud to work with Senator Markey and Congresswoman Houlahan on this bipartisan effort," said Congressman Garbarino.

"Now more than ever we must leverage the important role the federal government can play in incentivizing research opportunities," said Congresswoman Houlahan. "This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is a win for our research institutions whose work will help farmers and conservationists, like those in southeastern Pennsylvania, adopt sustainable practices that will protect the environment and increase climate resilience."

"Thank you to Senator Markey, Representative Garbarino, and Representative Houlahan for their leadership on the Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act again this Congress. Natural climate solutions are highly cost-effective and immediately deployable methods for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Land, inland waters, and coastal ecosystems currently remove about 30 percent of global annual carbon dioxide emissions and have the potential to increase this critical carbon sequestration function," said Dr. Max Holmes, President and CEO of Woodwell Climate Research Center. "Promoting natural climate solutions as a high priority research area within the Department of Agriculture will enhance our scientific understanding and application of these practices and principles in agriculture, ultimately aiding our fight against climate change."

"Federal research and funding should include and promote sound, sustainable, and biodiverse practices, not just models for industrial agriculture. We thank Senator Markey, Rep. Garbarino, and Rep. Houlahan for introducing this legislation that ensures we will no longer ignore effective conservation techniques honed by farmers practicing sound conservation stewardship for generations. We urge for the inclusion of the Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act in the Farm Bill," said Joe Maxwell, President of Farm Action Fund.

"Agriculture could be the leading source of U.S. emissions by 2050," said Geoff Horsfield, Legislative Director at the Environmental Working Group. "Our farmers are already feeling the effects of climate change and are already adopting common sense practices that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build soil carbon, and make their farms better able to withstand extreme weather. USDA can do more to support farmers by making research efforts to reduce emissions a top priority."

"Given the right tools and support, farmers can be part of the solution to the climate crisis," said Hank Tremblay, Policy & Advocacy Manager at Farm Aid. "That's why Farm Aid supports the Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act, important legislation that will allow farmers to put into place practices that protect water quality, store greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately, take care of their communities."

"As farmers, ranchers, and foresters face intensifying droughts, floods, and wildfires every year, the research and support behind natural climate solutions are more important than ever," said Gloria Dabek, Senior Policy Advisor at Carbon180. "This bill answers that call. We thank Senator Markey and Representatives Garbarino and Houlahan for introducing a common sense solution to address producer demand, acknowledging both the role of science and traditional ecological knowledge, and prioritizing biodiversity and resilience alongside carbon sequestration."

"Unlike other businesses, weather determines the success of farms and ranches in any given year," said Samantha Levy, Senior Policy Manager for Conservation and Energy at American Farmland Trust. "The Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act will help build on-farm resilience while reducing runoff and emissions by making these goals a priority for research and extension."

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