H.R. 1853 — CALL Act

This section states congressional findings on agricultural land tenure and conservation, including that 39% of U.S. agricultural land is leased (53% of cropland); that participation in federal, state, and local conservation programs is limited by factors such as lease terms, operator independence, landowner awareness, and other policy or market issues; that regular data collection through the Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL) Survey is vital; and that solutions to such barriers are not one-size-fits-all.

This section directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the National Agricultural Statistics Service and in collaboration with the Economic Research Service, to conduct a study on participation in USDA conservation programs (e.g., Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and adoption of conservation practices on leased agricultural land (i.e., land operated under lease by a non-owner farmer or rancher). The study must review existing research (e.g., TOTAL Survey, American Farmland Trust report), leasing structures and trends, effective models, regional variations, federal and state incentives, benefits of land ownership transition, cash rent competition effects, conservation practice continuity with tenant changes, and USDA communications to non-owner operators and absentee landlords; it must particularly consider farmers and ranchers of color (including Black and Indigenous), and beginning farmers and ranchers. Not later than December 31, 2026, the Secretary must submit to Congress a report with study results and recommendations to address leasing-related barriers to conservation practices, categorized as (1) implementable under existing authorities, (2) requiring congressional authorization, or (3) for outreach. The Secretary may contract with a non-Federal entity (e.g., nonprofit or university) selected via application to conduct the study.