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Farm Bill

Challenge: 

Photo courtesy: Oregon State Archives

The conservation title of the Farm Bill is the single largest source of federal funding for conservation on private lands in our country.  This regularly renewed legislation provides an unparalleled opportunity for sportsmen to partner with the farming and ranching community to encourage conservation of fish and wildlife habitat. Proven programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) have made millions of acres on America’s farms and ranches more hospitable to fish and wildlife. Hunters in particular know what an incredible boon these programs have been, having seen firsthand the increase in the numbers of game species and other wildlife since their inception.

Every five years, when the Farm Bill comes up for renewal, we must fight for strong funding to ensure that these critical conservation programs do not end up under-funded or cut completely. 

Strategy: 

In 2005, the TRCP formed the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group, a coalition of the nation’s leading conservation and sportsmen organizations – a full two years before the Farm Bill was scheduled for reauthorization.  Together, the group produced recommendations on funding and programs, releasing them in the report, Growing Conservation in the Farm Bill.  When the new Farm Bill did come up for debate, the AWWG worked to educate Members of Congress and their staff on the importance of a strong conservation title and relentlessly pushed for gains to key programs even in the face of legislative delays and budget cuts.  The 2008 Farm Bill was finally passed and signed into law in May 2008 and the AWWG now turns its attention to the critical process of implementation of the new programs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

To see a summary of program outcomes from the 2008 Farm Bill, click here. 

Action: 

While the Farm Bill legislative process is completed, there is much left to do in making sure the conservation programs are administered in the most effective way and the funding allocated to conservation in the bill reaches the right resources.

Check back often for the latest developments and to learn how you can help.

For more information about our Farm Bill initiative, contact Geoff Mullins, initiative manager. 

 

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