Statement on the National Academies Study on PFAS and USDA Conservation Programs 

American Farmland Trust (AFT) commends the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine for their recent report PFAS in Agricultural Systems: Guidance for Conservation Programs at USDA (2026). AFT is grateful for the collaboration between USDA and the National Academies on this emerging issue, and is aligned with many of the report recommendations, particularly the need for additional research and related coordination, and the need to train NRCS field conservationists on the basics of PFAS. These recommendations mirror several of those made by the PFAS and Agriculture Policy Workgroup, which consists of sixteen agricultural organizations led by AFT. 

Although we agree that there are opportunities for existing programs to better address PFAS, AFT believes that the ultimate solution is to create a dedicated relief and support program like that outlined in the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act. Such a program would be more adept in addressing the many different needs of farmers and rural communities impacted by the PFAS contamination of agricultural land. In addition to adopting practices to help mitigate PFAS contamination, a dedicated program could also provide the income-replacement, health support, water filtration, and specialized technical assistance necessary to keep impacted farmers and ranchers safely in production.