National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONSERVATION DISTRICTS APPLAUD FARM BILL PASSAGE

NACD President John Redding, a cotton, peanut and pine tree producer from Monroe, Georgia, today issued the following statement following passage of the 2008 Farm Bill Conference Report by Congress.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—May 15, 2008—“Today the U.S. Senate passed the 2008 Farm Bill Conference Report, following similar action by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday. Speaking on behalf of America’s conservation districts, we are pleased that Congress voted in strong support of the Farm Bill and passed the legislation by a large margin.

“The bill increases spending for working lands conservation programs and provides needed certainty for the next five years. It also maintains a strong commitment to the locally-led conservation delivery system.

“We look forward to working with land owners and operators as they participate in the programs included in the bill. Conservation districts are committed to helping farmers, ranchers and forest landowners carry out conservation practices on their operations.

“Leadership of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees should be commended for the dedication they have shown throughout the process to enact a Farm Bill.

“We are disappointed with statements by the Administration that the President will veto the bill. The National Association of Conservation Districts is committed to helping Congress override, should the President veto.

# # #

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.