National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD CONTINUES TO SEEK WORKABLE SOLUTIONS
IN THE 2007 FARM BILL

NACD President Olin Sims, a rancher from McFadden, Wyoming, today issued the following statement in response to the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit and Energy’s Farm Bill proposal.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—May 22, 2007—“Today, members of the House Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research worked to refine the details of the conservation programs for the 2007 Farm Bill. On behalf of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, I want to thank our members of Congress for their efforts to write a Farm Bill that works for landowners. We recognize the Committee is writing the bill during very tight budget times and faces great challenges in meeting the needs of landowners.

“The Conservation Title proposal is a comprehensive package with an emphasis on working lands conservation. We are pleased the Subcommittee’s draft expands producer involvement in state technical committees. Continued support of the locally-led process is critical to program success, and is the cornerstone of Farm Bill conservation program delivery.

“NACD also welcomes continued support for key conservation programs. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), for example, is used by many farmers and ranchers to address resource needs and make enhancements on their operations. The proposed expansion of EQIP will result in environmental benefits that extend far beyond the borders of individual farms, ranches and private forestlands.

“Unfortunately with the tight budget, the support for EQIP comes at the cost of other programs. We are disappointed that the proposal eliminates new sign ups for the Conservation Security Program for the life of the next Farm Bill.

“The proposal also did not go as far as NACD recommended on program consolidation.  While we acknowledge and appreciate the attempt toward streamlining applications, we believe more efficiencies can be achieved to reduce paperwork while still meeting the same level of natural resource protection.  NACD remains committed to ensuring productive soil, clean water, clean air and healthy habitat by working with landowners through cost-share and incentive programs, conservation easements and land retirement programs, as appropriate to their operations and local resource needs. 

“We anticipate further discussion on many unresolved issues and expect a robust debate when the full Committee reviews the entire Farm Bill proposal.”

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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.