National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONSERVATION LEADERS CONVEY LANDOWNER NEEDS TO CONGRESS

WASHINGTON , D.C.—July 26, 2006—The National Association of Conservation Districts today testified before members of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, conveying landowner needs to the lawmakers.

NACD President Bill Wilson testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research in a hearing reviewing conservation issues. Wilson, a rancher-surveyor from Kinta, Oklahoma, called the 2002 Farm Bill a “hallmark for conservation in the country.”

“The ’02 Farm Bill offered a sound mix of programs and resources to build upon for the future,” Wilson said. “While it heralded a tremendous leap forward, there are still many who remain untouched by its potential.”

Wilson thanked the Committee for their efforts on behalf of conservation and expressed a continued commitment to working with legislators to find effective solutions for landowners and for our natural resources. “We look forward to working with you on refining conservation programs in the next farm bill to increase participation in programs, expand access to technical assistance and ensure that federal dollars are spent wisely to provide the greatest conservation benefits,” he said.

Others testifying at the House hearing included representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources and the Environment; USDA Farm Services Agency; Pheasants Forever; National Association of Wheat Growers; National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; and the County Commissioner from Berks County, Pennsylvania.

NACD Executive Board Member Gene Schimdt also testified in a separate hearing before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization to discuss conservation planning.

Schmidt, a farmer from Hanna, Ind., highlighted the growth and use of the Technical Service Provider initiative in Indiana. He addressed the issue at the national level, stating, “NACD strongly believes that the use of third party public and private sector technical assistance to help implement conservation programs should be seen as a complement and supplement to, not a replacement of, the existing delivery system.”

He also emphasized the need for flexibility for states to develop agreements that meet the local and state demands. “The future success of the program depends upon flexibility in addressing the specific demands in each state including staffing needs, resource concerns and local conservation priorities,” he said.

Representatives from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Association of Consulting Foresters, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and the National Pork Producers Council also testified at the Senate hearing.

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Copy of Gene Schmidt's testimony before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee.

Copy of Bill Wilson's testimony before the House Agriculture Subcommittee.

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.