National Association of Conservation Districts

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FARM BILL DELIVERS ON CONSERVATION

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.—May 22, 2008—“This week Congress provided a decisive override of the Presidential veto of the 2008 Farm Bill. Speaking on behalf of America’s conservation districts, we want to thank the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for their work to enact a Farm Bill with a strong Conservation Title. The bill has been a long time coming, but conservation districts are eager to help implement the programs across America.

“Among other things, the bill includes a $4 billion increase for critical conservation programs. It maintains a solid commitment to locally-led conservation. The bill contains a nationwide Conservation Security Program designed to encourage producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner. It also includes important provisions on technical assistance and additional opportunities for technical service providers.

“Conservation districts will work with landowners to participate in conservation programs throughout the duration of the five-year bill. By leveraging state and local dollars with federal commitments, conservation districts will expand the natural resource benefit of these programs and dollars.”

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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.