National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD URGES CONGRESS TO CONTINUE
EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON, D.C.—April 19, 2007—The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) today emphasized to Congress the significance of farm bill conservation programs and outlined the association’s vision for conservation programs in the 2007 Farm Bill.

NACD President Olin Sims, a rancher from McFadden, Wyo., testified before the House Agriculture Committee subcommittee, highlighting the importance of conservation programs that are efficient, meet landowner needs and are easy to access. The committee, chaired by Congressman Tim Holden (D-Pa.), held today’s hearing to review USDA Farm Bill conservation programs.

“Conservation districts believe that every acre counts,” Sims said, stressing the need for the farm bill to bring its conservation benefits to all producers and all agricultural lands. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s EQIP or CSP, WRP or CRP, on-the-ground results are what counts. Ensuring we have the vehicles to get those results in 2007 will be the principal measure of our success.”

Sims outlined the conservation practices implemented on his Wyoming operation, highlighting the benefits of the practices to his land and the community. “In my area, conservation programs are the farm bill,” Sims said.

He addressed NACD’s farm bill priorities, stressing the association’s focus on working lands conservation programs. “We believe there should be consolidation and streamlining of programs to ease program delivery, making them easier for producers to understand and apply for, and easier for field staff to administer,” Sims said. “Complicated paperwork and program overlap cause needless administrative time for both producers and technically-trained staff.”

Sims also highlighted the critical need for conservation technical assistance as the basis for all conservation efforts. “The bottom line is that producers need quality technical assistance to maximize the effectiveness of the financial assistance they receive,” he said. “Even without financial help, many producers still rely on technical help to ensure that they are putting quality practices on the land. It is the combination of the two that makes America’s conservation delivery system efficient and effective.”

Also testifying before the subcommittee were Jeff LaFleur on behalf of National Farmers Union; Charles "Jamie" Jamison on behalf of the National Corn Growers Association; Lawrence Elworth on behalf of the Center for Agricultural Partnerships; Joel Nelsen on behalf of California Citrus Mutual; Steve Foglesong on behalf of the National Cattleman's Beef Association; Douglas Wolf on behalf of the National Pork Producers Council; Slade Lail on behalf of the American Tree Farm System; David E. Nomsen on behalf of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever; Ralph Grossi on behalf of American Farmland Trust; Thomas W. Beauduy on behalf of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission; Ken Cook on behalf of the Environmental Working Group; and Loni Kemp on behalf of The Minnesota Project.

A complete copy of the testimony is at http://nacdnet.org/policy/input/testimony/farmbill_04-19-07.html.

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