LB243, passed by the Nebraska Legislature in 2019 and signed into law by Gov. Pete Ricketts, created the Healthy Soils Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of 15 members who are appointed by the Governor and represent the following: Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Natural Resource Districts, production agriculture, agribusiness, academia, and environmental organizations. In addition, representatives from the Legislatures’ Agriculture Committee and Natural Resources Committee serve on the Task Force as non-voting, ex-officio members.

The Task Force is primarily responsible for developing a comprehensive healthy soils initiative and action plan. The plan must be submitted to the Nebraska Legislature on or before January 1, 2021, at which time the Task Force will be terminated.