08/11/05 Farm Bill Forums - the questions, Pt.4

There is no doubt by those involved in shaping the 2007 Farm Bill that conservation will be one aspect that will build upon the current Farm Bill. The 2002 Farm Bill is noted for its success in advancing a variety of conservation programs, as well as introducing new ones like the Conservation Security Program. As a South Dakota soil and conservation district official put it at the National Farm Bill Forum last month & OFFICIAL: We see C.S.P. as the program of the future but it needs more funding of course, and to make it successful and covering the ground it needs to. Now one of six questions that are shaping discussion in the upcoming Farm Bill and the numerous Farm Bill forums being held nationwide through the end of the year is "How can farm policy best achieve conservation and environmental goals?" A Montana grower at the National Farm Bill Forum summed up the feelings of many producers about the importance of both federal conservation programs and the need for adequate funding for technical assistance. GROWER: N.R.C.S.'s presence at the field level and the technical assistance the agency provides are critical to the success of conservation in the U.S. Technical assistance I think enables many landowners and producers to apply conservation practices without necessarily requiring financial assistance. U.S.D.A. believes conservation is such a key component of the next Farm Bill that it is the topic of the first of a series of specialty subject Farm Bill Forums. U.S.D.A. Under Secretary Mark Rey will host a conservation forum August 17th in Jackson Hole Wyoming. Specialty forums on issues such as nutrition and rural development are scheduled for the coming months as well. But as more conservation and environmental groups see how agriculture is among the top stewards of the land, and join in on partnership efforts, the conservation aspect of future Farm Bil'ls will continue to grow in importance. So says soil and water conservation district official Kenny Reddinger of Ohio. REDDINGER: The Farm Bill needs to be crafted in a way that more fully meets America's needs for both a healthy environment and a productive agriculture. The remaining questions on the Farm Bill Forum question sheet address productive ag from the standpoint of economic benefits both for producers and the communities and side businesses tied in to farming and ranching. In our next program, how can the next Farm Bill provide assistance to rural areas, and address product development, marketing, and research?