The COMPOST Act would direct the Secretary of Agriculture to treat composting as both a conservation practice and a conservation activity under the Food Security Act of 1985. It defines composting broadly to include producing compost from farm-generated organic waste, or from organic waste brought from nearby communities to a farm, as well as the active use and management of compost on farms to improve soil health and water retention. The bill also requires USDA, in consultation with EPA, to issue regulations for determining when a community is “nearby” in a way that ensures transporting organic waste to farms results in a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition to the new definition, the bill amends several USDA conservation program provisions so composting practices can be supported through existing programs, including the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It also directs the Secretary to establish a composting practice standard through USDA’s technical assistance process, while reviewing any prior composting facility practice standards. The bill is intended to make composting more eligible for federal conservation support and to expand the policy framework for composting facilities and on-farm compost use.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would amend multiple sections of the Food Security Act of 1985 to explicitly include composting within federal conservation policy and program eligibility. That would affect USDA conservation standards, technical assistance, and cost-share or incentive programs, potentially opening the door to grants, loan guarantees, and other support for composting facilities and farm-based composting operations. The bill would also create a regulatory role for USDA and EPA in defining nearby-community sourcing and greenhouse gas criteria, which could influence how composting projects are sited and operated.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee debate or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or support in the provided materials. Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears to be framed positively as an agricultural conservation and climate-friendly waste-management initiative. The overall tone of the legislation is supportive of composting as a soil health and emissions-reduction practice.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the regulatory definition of “nearby communities,” the requirement that transported organic waste produce a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the extent to which composting should be treated as a conservation practice eligible for federal support. Stakeholders concerned about administrative burden, EPA/USDA rulemaking, or the use of conservation funds for composting facilities could raise objections, while agricultural and environmental advocates would likely support the expansion of composting incentives.