FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2026
CONTACT: Dana Kuhnline: Email: [email protected] | Number: 513 601 9854
APPALACHIA – Sustainable agricultural practices can help improve the health of ecosystems, boost farmers’ bottom lines, and protect communities from flooding – a climate-fueled natural disaster becoming more common in Appalachia. Nearly 30 percent of the land in the region is devoted to agriculture, making this sector an important part of any flood resiliency conversation. This month, over a dozen members, partners, and allies of the Appalachia Flood Resilience Coalition sent a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leadership to advocate for sustainable agriculture practices in a 2026 Farm Bill.
These practices are one important and cost-effective way to reduce the severity of flooding. They improve soil health, providing significant benefits to water quality and quantity. Healthy soils act as a sponge to both retain more water in drought situations and absorb more water in flooding scenarios, all while retaining more nutrients for crops.
The Farm Bill is a key opportunity to invest in Appalachian communities through programs that benefit farmers while promoting flood resilience. Read the full letter here.
The House passed the 2026 Farm Bill, officially called the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, on a 224 to 200 vote on April 30. The debate now heads to the Senate.
Learn more about how sustainable agriculture practices intersect with flood mitigation and resilience in AFRC’s Flood Policy Platform.