Take Action for Soil Health and Urban Agriculture in Illinois!
You can help urban farms by filling out witness slips for these three bills supporting soil heath in Illinois. Learn more below!
IL HB2302 AGR-COMMUNITY GARDENS
Sponsored by Rep. Sonya M. Harper
This bill amends the Department of Agriculture Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois and provides that the Department of Agriculture shall make resources available for future and existing community gardens and farms located within urban areas of the State that seek to screen or test the soil for contaminants that could pose a hazard to human health.
IL HB 2737 SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DIST.
Sponsored by Rep. Michael Halpin
This amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. and provides that the purposes of soil and water conservation districts include the conservation of soil health, organic matter in soil and plants, and water quality (rather than just water); and the improvement of resilience to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather. It also defines "soil health,” which will allow districts to initiate and conduct specified activities regarding improvement of soil health, including surveys, investigations, research, development of comprehensive plans, entering into agreements with or cooperating with other entities, and making agricultural and engineering machinery and equipment available to landowners or occupiers within the district.
IL HB2819 DNR-SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES
Sponsored by Rep. Chris Miller
This bill amends the Department of Natural Resources Act and provides that the Department of Natural Resources may require the establishment of soil health practices on leases of land used for agricultural purposes.