Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023
In Committee
Introduced:Jul 10, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Representative
Republican
GA-14
Cosponsors
14
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Summary
The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 establishes a program to help dairy and livestock producers adopt more environmentally-friendly manure management practices. This includes supporting the adoption of pasture-based farming, alternative manure treatment and storage, and new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air and water quality.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
SponsorMarjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
Introduced7/10/2025
StatusReferred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
ChamberHouse
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Vote Prediction
Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023
The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 establishes a program to help dairy and livestock producers adopt more environmentally-friendly manure management practices. This includes supporting the adoption of pasture-based farming, alternative man
Community Breakdown
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The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 establishes a program to help dairy and livestock producers adopt more environmentally-friendly manure management practices. This includes supporting the adoption of pasture-based farming, alternative manure treatment and storage, and new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air and water quality.
Bill Number
4327
Sponsor
Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
Introduced
7/10/2025
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Data from Congress.gov
AI-generated summary
Fact Sheet
Title
Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023
Bill Number
4327
Sponsor
Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
Status
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Introduced
7/10/2025
Summary
The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 establishes a program to help dairy and livestock producers adopt more environmentally-friendly manure management practices. This includes supporting the adoption of pasture-based farming, alternative manure treatment and storage, and new techn
The Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023 establishes a program to help dairy and livestock producers adopt more environmentally-friendly manure management practices. This includes supporting the adoption of pasture-based farming, alternative manure treatment and storage, and new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air and water quality.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill establishes an alternative manure management program for eligible dairy and livestock producers and provides specified funds to the program for FY2024 through FY2028.</p><p>The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an alternative manure management program to award producers contracts to support carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Producers must implement management measures that include adopting </p><ul><li>pasture-based management;</li><li>alternative manure treatment and storage practices;</li><li>a solid separation system (or installing a new, higher efficiency solid separation system); or</li><li>scrape technologies, including vacuum technologies.</li></ul><p>The federal cost share may not exceed 90%. Further, the bill caps the maximum payment to a person or legal entity in any five-year period at $825,000.</p><p>USDA must prioritize contracts to entities that address public health concerns (e.g., air quality and water quality) associated with dairy and livestock operations located near low-income or underserved communities. Further, USDA must ensure geographical diversity when awarding contracts.</p><p>USDA must also reserve a majority of the program's funds for beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as farmers and ranchers that continue to transition towards enhanced methods of sequestering carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide emissions.</p><p>The bill also includes composting practices as eligible projects under USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program.</p><p>Finally, USDA must review practice standards for composting facilities and soil carbon amendments (e.g., compost) and develop and implement a new conservation practice standard for the on-farm production of compost. 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Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Creates a USDA program to provide financial assistance to dairy and livestock producers to implement sustainable manure management practices
Prioritizes funding for projects that address environmental and public health concerns in low-income or underserved communities
Reserves a majority of funding for beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
Expands eligibility for composting practices under USDA conservation programs
Directs USDA to develop new standards for on-farm compost production
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would primarily impact dairy and livestock producers, who could receive up to 90% cost-sharing to adopt more sustainable manure management practices. It would also benefit surrounding communities by helping to reduce air and water pollution from these farms. Additionally, the program is designed to provide extra support for underserved farmers, potentially helping to address environmental justice concerns in disadvantaged areas.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Agriculture and Food
Related Subjects
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural practices and innovations
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Farmland
Livestock
Mammals
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
4327, 119th Congress (2025). "Converting Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act of 2023". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4327
