National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HOUSE FARM BILL PROPOSAL THREATENS LOCALLY-LED CONSERVATION

WASHINGTON, D.C.—July 9, 2007—The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) urged members of the House Agriculture Committee today to reconsider portions of the proposed 2007 Farm Bill, stating that current language in the bill threatens the locally-led process and is not favorable to America’s landowners and managers.

NACD President Olin Sims, a rancher from McFadden, Wyo., sent a letter to Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN), again emphasizing the importance of a Farm Bill that allows customers to participate in Farm Bill conservation programs with ease and efficiency.

“Conservation districts have been pushing from the start of the debate for a Farm Bill that streamlines and consolidates programs and processes to make it easier for America’s landowners to participate in conservation programs and implement effective practices,” Sims said. “Unfortunately, the legislation proposed by the House further complicates producer requirements and threatens the locally-led process that is vital to applying conservation to the ground.”

The Committee’s proposal switches administration of the 2007 Farm Bill Conservation Programs from USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service to the Farm Services Agency. Such a change would force producers to work though multiple federal agencies to participate in any conservation program.

“If changes in the structure of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the roles of its respective agencies are needed, the changes should be facilitated in cooperation with Department leaders and with public input, not legislated through the 2007 Farm Bill,” Sims said.

“We need a farm bill that brings conservation benefits to all producers and all agricultural lands,” said Sims. “We are committed to continue working through the process to achieve that goal.”

The full text of the letter is available at http://nacdnet.org/policy/input/letters/farmbill_07-09-07.phtml.

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The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation's 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACD's website is at www.nacdnet.org.