May 22, 2007
index to previous eNotes
- House Conservation Subcommittee Acts on Farm Bill
- Locally Led Program Delivery Addressed in Farm Bill Proposal
- Congress Approves Fiscal Year 2008 Budget
- NRCS Reviews Funding Allocation Formulas
- 25x25 Resolution Passes Committee
- EPA Administrator Addresses Agriculture Leaders in Washington
- Sims Meets with NCBA Leaders
- Iowa District Cooperators Win Coveted Wetlands Award
- New Report Assesses the State of America’s Forests
1. House Conservation Subcommittee Acts on Farm Bill
Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research completed action on several Farm Bill “titles”. The subcommittee addressed all four of its titles: conservation, credit, energy and research. The Conservation Title was debated for over two hours, with several amendments discussed. Of particular note was a proposal to alter the conservation program administration from NRCS to FSA. This amendment was withdrawn, but the issue will be addressed next year when the Committee discusses USDA reorganization.
The Subcommittee draft Conservation Title approved today increases funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, adding specific recommendations on private forest lands and specialty crops. The Conservation Security Program would be put on hold for the next five years, with no new sign-ups until 2012. The Conservation Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program would be continued at the same level and the Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program would be expanded. The proposal would continue the Wetlands Reserve Program and the Grasslands Reserve Program – but essentially only in name and not provide money to continue the programs in future years. All programs are subject to additional funding, should the $20 billion in reserve funding for the Farm Bill become available (see related story).
The proposed Energy title continues several bioenergy programs and research, and includes a Forest Bioenergy Research Program with funding authorized at $15 million per year.
Each subcommittee will take similar action on other titles of the bill and then the complete bill will be reviewed by the entire committee. Full committee review is expected toward the end of June. Many conservation amendments were held-off for the full committee, so the work on the conservation title is far from over.
To view NACD’s press release on the Subcommittee’s activity, visit: http://nacdnet.org/news/newsroom/releases/05_22_07.phtml
2. Locally Led Program Delivery Addressed in Farm Bill Proposal
The Conservation Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee included specific provisions in the Conservation Title Draft altering the State Technical Committee. During the days leading up to today’s subcommittee action, NACD heard that changes would be proposed for the State Technical Committees. Almost every state with Members of Congress on the Subcommittee reached out to educate their members on the operation of the State Technical Committee within their respective states. This contact with offices on Capitol Hill was crucial to further understanding of participation in and improvements that can be made in the conservation program delivery system. The resulting revision to the State Technical Committees was very positive, including expanded participation by livestock and producer groups within a state. NACD appreciates the contacts made to Members of Congress to ensure that Districts continue to have a role in the State Technical Committee and the locally led delivery of conservation program remains as Congress crafts the 2007 Farm Bill.
3. Congress Approves Fiscal Year 2008 Budget
The U.S. Congress has approved a budget agreement that now allows the Appropriations Committees to begin their work. The agreement provides $954 billion in discretionary spending for fiscal year 2008. The Appropriators divide the discretionary spending between the 12 different appropriations bills that they must pass each year to fund specific government agencies and programs. NACD’s appropriations priorities fall into four different appropriations bills – Agriculture, Energy & Water, Interior, and Commerce. The budget agreement also established a $20 billion reserve fund for agriculture, which allows the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to spend additional money in the Farm Bill, only if they cut equivalent spending in other areas. Additional information and action alerts on NACD’s appropriations priorities and Farm Bill efforts can be found at http://nacdnet.org/policy/.
4. NRCS Reviews Funding Allocation Formulas
NACD participated in a briefing last week with NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs Tom Christensen regarding the agency’s external review of program allocations and formulas.
The review, conducted by World Perspectives, was part of an NRCS effort to create a more defensible, repeatable, and transparent process for creating state-specific program allocation formulas. The effort also attempts to include merit based performance factors into major program formulas, based on definable, measurable and consistent factors.
Program allocations and formulas pertaining to fiscal year 2007 are available on the NRCS website.
5. 25x25 Resolution Passes Committee
The US House Agriculture Committee passed a resolution recognizing the importance of renewable energy from agricultural operations and supporting the 25 x ’25 alliance goals that state that 25 percent of US energy should come from renewable sources by 2025. The Committee recommended that it pass when the resolution comes before the full House. NACD executive Board member, Jack Majeres represented NACD at the third annual meeting of 25 x ’25 this past March. Renewable energy and energy conservation on farms and ranches is also being discussed in the farm bill deliberations. Click here to see the passed resolution and click here to read Chairman Peterson’s statement regarding the resolution.
6. EPA Administrator Addresses Agriculture Leaders in Washington
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson was they keynote speaker for the Agribusiness Club of Washington last week at the club’s monthly luncheon. Administrator Johnson’s discussion highlighted opportunities for collaboration among agencies, particularly with USDA. He also focused on challenges in meeting environmental quality standards while also meeting the needs of agricultural and economic interests. Administrator Johnson also highlighted a series of Agriculture and Environment forums that will be held later in the year.
7. Sims Meets with NCBA Leaders
NACD President Olin Sims met with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President John Queen and NCBA Policy Division Chair Steve Foglesong on his Wyoming Ranch last week. The group discussed conservation issues in the 2007 Farm Bill as they toured the ranch. They specifically spoke about the need for more conservation technical assistance to aid producers in putting good conservation systems into effect of their land.
8. Iowa District Cooperators Win Coveted Wetlands Award
The Environmental Law Institute's National Wetlands Awards Program celebrates individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation or excellence in wetlands conservation. This year six wetland educators, scientists, and conservationists were selected as recipients of the 2007 National Wetlands Awards for exemplary contributions to conserving or restoring the nation’s wetlands.
The complete list of winners is at http://www.nationalwetlandsawards.org/awardees.htm.
The winners in the Landowner Stewardship category were Mark and Terry Brockway, dedicated conservationists and cooperators with the Des Moines County SWCD in Southeast Iowa. The brothers purchased over 1,500 acres of bottomland at the confluence of the Skunk and Mississippi Rivers and restored and enhanced over 500 acres of it while setting aside most of the rest of the land as permanent refuge.
9. New Report Assesses the State of America’s Forests
The Society of American Foresters released a new report on the State of America’s Forests, which noted that the 750 million acres of U.S. forestlands has remained essentially unchanged over the past 100 years. With major funding from the Abundant Forests Alliance, the report also noted that 10 million acres of new forestland has been added to this base. The report concluded that positive trends would continue with improvements in markets and reforestation efforts.
The complete report is available at http://www.safnet.org.
For queries about this newsletter or to subscribe, contact editor Lisa Lerwick, NACD Director of Communications, at Lisa-Lerwick@nacdnet.org or 202-547-6223.