The National Association of Conservation Districts sent a letter to farm bill conferees today outlining the association’s priorities for the bill.

“Our nation’s farmers and landowners deserve to have long-term certainty to effectively and efficiently manage their land, resources and businesses for the years ahead,” stated NACD President Earl Garber.

“Locally-led conservation is critical for America’s long-term environmental and economic stability,” he said.

“Not only do farm bill conservation programs play a key role in supporting clean air, clean water and productive soils, they also help producers avoid unnecessary regulation and promote our nation's long-term economic and food security.”

NACD supports the passage of a five-year farm bill, with the following priorities:

• Senate language on technical assistance which gives the Agriculture secretary authority to make decisions on implementing conservation programs.
• Senate budget for Title II. “Cuts beyond the Senate version will hurt the very viability of the programs in the title,” Garber said.
• Tying conservation compliance to crop insurance (while opposing adjusted gross income limitations or premium assistance reductions to crop insurance).
• Senate’s national sod-saver provision to address crop insurance disparities and preserve habitats for game species on native sod and on grasslands that producers cannot certify have ever been cropped.
• The Forestry Title pilot program taken from the National Forest Emergency Response Act, which gives the Agriculture secretary authority to assign relief to national forests decimated by insect infestation, drought, disease, and storm damage.

• NACD Letter to Farm Bill Conferees