The Challenge

Agriculture remains the leading contributor of nonpoint source pollution (NSP) to U.S. waterways. Current programs for controlling agricultural NSP are focused on cost-sharing best management practices and compensating farmers for idling selected tracks of working land. Although current efforts, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Reserve Program, have been important and valuable policy tools, they:

• Limit flexibility by only funding a partial set of options to control agricultural pollution.
• Do not encourage farmers to utilize the most cost-effective actions or create innovative new solutions for their farming operations.
• May not always provide a strong link etween farm management and environmental outcomes.