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This page last updated on 11/3/08.

MEDIA COVERAGE

More Than 2 Million Acres are Now Enrolled in USDA'S Wetlands Reserve Program

By Sylvia Rainford – USDA Press Release – October 21, 2008 Agriculture Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey today announced landowners have enrolled more than 2 million acres in U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wetlands Reserve Program, a significant contribution toward increasing the Nation's wetlands. "We have gained wetland acreage, thanks to the stewardship ethic of the Nation's farmers and ranchers," Rey said. "Because of this achievement, USDA was able to help President Bush exceed his goal of improving, restoring, and protecting at least 3 million acres of wetlands in less than five years." For full press release, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2008/10/0271.xml

Conservation Incentives Will Aid Farmers and Wetlands

EP Magazine – October 13, 2008 The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a new package of conservation incentives on Oct. 3 for wetlands restoration under the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Environmental Defense Fund experts are praising the plan. "We have been working for years to encourage incentives like these," said Sara Hopper, agricultural policy director for Environmental Defense Fund. "There's a lot of pressure to farm on marginal lands right now because of record high commodity prices. These incentives will help conservation remain a competitive financial option for private landowners. The new incentives will also help more farmers and landowners restore wetlands, which filter polluted water and provide important habitat for wildlife." For full article, go to: http://www.eponline.com/articles/68340/

SD: Breaking land or altering wetlands? Be careful; you can lose USDA program benefits

High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal – October 13, 2008 South Dakota farmers are urged to talk with conservation officials before draining any wet areas or bringing new land into production. State Resource Conservationist Shaun Vickers with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Huron, says farmers are under tremendous economic pressure to produce crops. Not only are grain prices at historic highs, but land, rent, fuel and fertilizer costs are also skyrocketing. As they prepare for and complete harvest this fall, farmers should be cautious with managing wetlands in their fields, says Vickers, since their eligibility for USDA farm program benefits could be at stake. If you have a wet area which you're considering putting into a crop, come in and talk to the NRCS staff. "We can do a wetland determination to know if that area is a wetland or not and keep you out of trouble," says Vickers. For full article, go to: http://www.hpj.com/archives/2008/oct08/oct13/Breakinglandoralteringwetla.cfm? title=Breaking%20land%20or%20altering%20wetlands?%20Be%20careful;%20you% 20can%20lose%20USDA%20program%20benefits

Wetlands easements not being monitored, Investigators find

By Michael Doyle – McClatchy Newspapers – September 19, 2008 WASHINGTON -- The Agriculture Department is paying landowners to conserve wetlands but failing to monitor the results, investigators warn in a new report. One result arose in the Sacramento Valley, where investigators uncovered trash piled up on property for which the Agriculture Department had purchased a conservation easement. A manpower shortage may be part of the problem. For full story, go to: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/244/story/52812.html

Once Rare, Coastal Dead Zones Are Multiplying Worldwide

ENS – August 15, 2008 Around 1910, when scientists began studying the marine areas of low oxygen known as dead zones, there were only four of them worldwide. Now, there are 405 dead zones in the world's coastal waters, covering a total area of 95,000 square miles, according to the latest research published today in the journal "Science." A global study led by Virginia Institute of Marine Science Professor Robert Diaz shows that the number of dead zones has increased by a third between 1995 and 2007. For full article, go to: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-15-01.asp

PLJV Position on Grazing of Conservation Reserve Program Acres

Playa Lakes Joint Venture Newsletter – August 2008 Responding to recent livestock feed shortages, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the release of 24 million general sign-up Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for haying and grazing nationwide on May 27. On July 8, a U.S. District Court judge stopped this emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres at the request of the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and six state affiliates. The final ruling on July 24 stated there will be no acreage cap on the Critical Feed Use provision. But the judge limited the program to farmers and ranchers who applied to use CRP acres for haying and grazing before July 8. In light of this lawsuit and the history of the CRP, the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) is calling for a regional discussion about what the best management is for CRP acres for ground-nesting birds as well as for ranchers and farmers in the High Plains. For full article, visit: http://www.pljv.org/cms/latest-news#Story1

Statement of Secretary Ed Schafer Discusses Conservation Reserve Program Decision

USDA News Release – July 29, 2008 "We have just completed a very thorough review of whether we should allow the early release of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) without penalty to land owners. After carefully considering recent crop reports and weather conditions, the price trends we are seeing in grain markets and the likelihood of increasing land for crop production, we have decided not to allow the penalty-free release of CRP land at this time. For full news release, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid= 2008/07/0196.xml

Hunters, Taxpayers Getting Cheated as Congress to Allow Planting on Protected Lands

By CHRIS NISKANEN (Editorial) – Pioneer Press – July 15, 2008 America's best wildlife conservation program is under assault from agriculture groups and Congress, and the outcome won't be pretty, especially in Minnesota and the Dakotas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is expected to announce soon that it will allow landowners and farmers to tear up their 10-year contracts and plow up their Conservation Reserve Program lands. Nationwide, it's a program responsible for creating 34 million acres of protected wetlands and grasslands. For full editorial, go to: http://www.twincities.com/outdoors/ci_9893901

EDITORIAL: To grow or not to grow?

Las Vegas Review Journal – July 14, 2008 Anyone who hasn't been asleep in a cave for 50 years knows the U.S. government pays farmers not to grow crops. Formerly, the rationale for such programs was frankly admitted: By reducing supplies, the government keeps grocery prices high, pleasing farmers. One might think that would be a political nonstarter, as there are far more grocery shoppers than farmers. But a rule of economics says that the smaller number of farmers can gain enough to make it worthwhile to lobby (some would say "bribe") Congress to support such programs, while the couple of bucks in higher prices levied on each cart of groceries isn't enough to motivate the average shopper to hire a competing lobbyist in Washington. The farmers win. For full editorial, go to: http://www.lvrj.com/opinion/25260459.html

Chesapeake Bay farm bill spending work begins

Washington Examiner – July 14, 2008 Farmers around the Chesapeake Bay will get more than a quarter of a billion dollars over the next five years to reduce pollution into the Chesapeake. But how exactly should that money be spent? Federal agriculture officials meet in Annapolis Monday to begin work on a spending plan for the roughly $372 million set aside to reduce nitrogen and pollution runoff from farms in the Chesapeake watershed. The money could go to pay farmers to plant pollution-reducing cover crops or to implement other practices to reduce pollution. Priority will go to farmers in watersheds where most pollution enters the bay -- the Potomac, Patuxent, Susquehanna and Shenandoah rivers. For map and story, go to: http://www.examiner.com/a1486450~Chesapeake_Bay_farm_bill_spending_ work_begins.html

Conservation groups urge no early out for CRP KRVN Radio – July 9, 2008 Fifteen conservation groups today sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer strongly urging him to reject pressure from Congress and producer groups “to allow the penalty-free early release of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).” USDA has been urged to release up to 24 million acres from CRP – roughly three-fourths of the land currently enrolled in the program – and put it back into production. This move would result in a loss of billions of dollars of taxpayer investment in conservation on these lands. For full story, go to: http://www.krvn.com/news/agricultural/fc096ecf-4127-4ae3-9803-8c7fd2a40e1a

Early-Out For CRP?

By Kent Thiesse – Corn & Soybean Digest – July 8, 2008 As of the writing of this column, USDA was still reviewing the possibility of offering an “early-out” option for existing Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract acres for the 2009 crop year, in response to the current very tight grain supplies and the need for more acres of crop production in future years. USDA is likely to make a decision on releasing existing CRP acres very soon, in order to allow adequate time for producers to plan for the 2009 growing season. For full editorial, go to: http://cornandsoybeandigest.com/kentthiesse/0708_crp_out/

Grassley Renews Call for CRP Early Out

By Adam Templeton – Farm Journal / DTN – July 1, 2008 Sen. Charles Grassley declared Tuesday that "time is running out for farmers," as he repeated his call for USDA to let farmers turn their Conservation Reserve Program acres over to production this year. Pastures around Iowa are badly damaged, and may not yield the forage necessary for the coming winter months, Grassley said. Farmers who breach their five-year contract with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and shift idle acres back to crop production are typically subject to heavy fines. But in light of the flooding and resulting crop damage, lawmakers and commodity groups have asked that farmers be allowed to withdraw from the program penalty-free and use the acres to offset losses. Grassley, R-Iowa, said he voiced his concerns to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, but hasn't received a response. And time is of the essence. "We've lost about a week," Grassley said of the delayed response. "I guess I'm pessimistic, but I'm still hopeful." For full article, go to: http://www.agweb.com/DiscussionBoard/post.asp?method=TopicQuote&TOPIC _ID=2388&FORUM_ID=2

New Farm Bill Maintains and Improves Conservation Programs Playa Lakes Joint Venture – July 1, 2008 National farm bill legislation can have broad implications for grassland and wetland birds and their habitat in the PLJV region. The result of the recently passed 2008 Farm Bill is no exception and impacts many conservation programs. The bill’s overall impact to bird conservation is generally positive, providing a slight increase of funding for several conservation programs while maintaining others. Some of the most significant gains in the new farm bill are in conservation, with new funding increasing by $4 billion for environmental stewardship programs. For full story, go to: http://www.pljv.org/cms/latest-news#Story2

Farm Bill 2008 Enacted into Law, Summary of 2008 Farm Bill Conservation Provisions (based on final conference report language)

By the American Farmland Trust – May 22, 2008 Following veto override votes of 316-108 in the House and 82-13 in the Senate, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 was enacted into law on May 22nd, with the exception of the bill's trade title. Apparently the Senate will later in June take action to make the trade title applicable law as well (the House passed it as a stand alone bill and as part of a repassed Farm Bill—the Senate could do either in June). For a summary of the conservation provisions, including WRP, CRP, CSP, etc, go to: http://www.farmland.org/programs/campaign/documents/AFT-SummaryFarmBillConservationProvisions5-13-08.pdf

House Rejects Farm Bill Veto – Case of the Missing Pages By Associated Press – Baltimore Sun – May 22, 2008 The House of Representatives overwhelmingly rejected President Bush's veto yesterday of a $290 billion farm bill, but what should have been a stinging defeat for the president became an embarrassment for Democrats. Only hours before the House's 316-108 vote, Bush had vetoed the five-year measure, saying it was too expensive and gave too much money to wealthy farmers when farm incomes are high. The Senate then was expected to follow suit quickly. Action stalled, however, after the discovery that Congress had omitted a 34-page section of the bill when lawmakers sent the massive measure to the White House. That means Bush vetoed a different bill from the one Congress passed, leaving leaders scrambling to figure out whether it could become law. For full story, go to: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.farmbill22may22,0,3360886.story

Izaak Walton League Sees Wins and Losses in New Farm Bill Contact: Brad Redlin – Izaak Walton League Press Release – May 20, 2008 The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 -- better known as the Farm Bill -- received a veto-proof level of support from Congress last week. The Izaak Walton League’s support for the bill is tempered by some disappointing elements within the massive piece of legislation. “The bill missed an excellent opportunity to advance conservation through a nationwide Sodsaver program, which would have reduced the loss of America's native prairies,” says Brad Redlin, director of the League’s Agriculture Program. “However, there are some positive components that only exist because the League committed itself to originating policy, working with elected officials, and joining with colleagues to protect America's outdoors.” One victory is the League-authored reform of the Farm Bill's Conservation Compliance regimen. Conservation Compliance consists of basic conservation requirements that must be met for farms to be eligible for receiving federal subsidies. Excessive erosion from certain fields (the “Sodbuster” regulation) and draining wetlands to plant crops (the “Swampbuster” regulation) result in a farm being ineligible for part or all of its subsidies. For full press release go to: http://iwla.org/index.php?id=610

Congress Passes Farm Bill News from Audubon – May 20, 2008 Both the House and the Senate have passed the Farm Bill with veto proof margins this week. The White House has said that the President will veto the bill, but in light of the strong support in both chambers, it is unclear whether there will actually be a veto. In its current form the Farm Bill has some provisions that undercut many of the bill's positive past achievements. The traditional "sodsaver" provision originally intended to discourage farmers from plowing up untouched prairie has been changed to allow cultivation of crops. The compromise in the bill limits sodsaver to only five states and only if those states' governors opt to participate. Another flawed provision limits eligibility for assistance in restoring or improving habitat in the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. Among the advancements are Conservation Reserve Program: The farm bill retains the highly successful Conservation Reserve Program which allows for annual payments for 10 to 15 year contracts to participants who establish grass, shrub, and tree cover on environmentally sensitive lands. While the cap on eligible lands has been lowered from 39.2 million acres to 32 million acres, the projection reflects expected attrition, and the cost savings are being used to fund other conservation programs in the farm bill. Wetlands Reserve Program: The bill also retains this voluntary program that assists landowners with restoring and protecting wetlands through conservation easements and cost-share agreements. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical help to install and maintain conservation practices that enhance soil, water, and related natural resources, including wetlands. Under the new agreement, the program receives an additional $2.4 billion to help producers plan and implement conservation practices including renewable fuels such as wind and solar power. Tax Incentives for Endangered Species Protection: The bill includes $300 million in tax deductions for landowners who choose to engage in projects on their land that help provide habitat for endangered species—a win-win solution for private property owners and endangered species. Other key provisions enhance funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program by an additional $1.1 billion while promoting better practices, double the funding for the Farmland Protection Program to $500 million, and add 300,000 new acres eligible for the Grasslands Reserve Program.

Farm Bill Likely Veto-Proof By David Thompson – Sun Gazette – May 16, 2008 President George W. Bush has promised to veto a $290 billion farm bill, but overwhelming support for the bill by both the House and Senate indicates a presidential veto doesn’t stand a chance. The House passed the bill 318 to 106 on Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill 81 to 17 on Thursday. Bush threatened to veto the bill, which comes up for reauthorization every five years, saying it was fiscally irresponsible and too generous to wealthy farmers, according to the Associated Press. For full story, go to: http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/510376.html?nav=5011 For related story, go to: http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/12108165282 53370.xml&coll=1

$290 Billion Farm Bill Offers State Much to Like By Brett Lieberman – The Patriot News – May 15, 2008 Over the president's objections, the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a $290 billion farm bill that includes measures with midstate appeal. The bill includes millions of dollars to prevent farm runoff from spoiling the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. It offers the first-ever money to help specialty crop growers like Adams County apple growers. It includes funds to promote development of technology to turn materials that are plentiful in Pennsylvania, such as wood chips and switch grass, into fuel. For full story, go to: http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/121081652 8253370.xml&coll=1

House Overwhelmingly Approves Food, Conservation and Energy Act Conference Report Bill Passes With 318 Bipartisan Votes

Media Contact: April Demert Slayton – News from the House Agriculture Committee – May 14, 2008 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the conference report for the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, a groundbreaking bill that invests in improved nutrition, conservation, renewable energy and farm programs and includes significant reforms. With the support of more than 550 farm, specialty crop, conservation, nutrition, consumer and religious organizations, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte, members of the House Agriculture Committee, and members of the conference committee outlined the conference report’s new historic new investments in priorities important to all Americans. “The Food, Conservation and Energy Act makes essential improvements in the food, farm and conservation programs that meet the needs of Americans in cities, suburbs and rural communities nationwide,” Chairman Peterson said. “This bill will help working American families struggling with high food prices and will ensure that our farmers and ranchers can continue to provide a safe, abundant, homegrown supply of food and fiber.” For full press release, go to: http://agriculture.house.gov/list/press/agriculture_dem/pr_051408_FarmBillCR.html

Farm Bill Deal Boosts Conservation, But Has Flaws National Audubon Society – May 13, 2008 The following is a statement by Betsy Loyless, Senior Vice President, National Audubon Society: "When farming is done properly, we can produce abundant food while ensuring stewardship of wildlife and habitat. While the farm bill that has emerged from conference negotiations does much to achieve this goal, there are negatives that considerably undercut the positive achievements. Though the process was not very open and the result less than ideal, we congratulate the conferees for advancing an historic farm bill that will do much to increase land and habitat conservation in the U.S. "The farm bill that has emerged from the conference boosts funding for incentives programs that are proven to help conserve grasslands and prairie that are so critical to species conservation, particularly our declining common birds and endangered birds. For full story, go to: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/farm-bill-deal-boosts-conservation-but-has-flaws,391920.shtml

Fact Sheet: Congress' Farm Bill Is Bad for American Taxpayers White House Press Release – May 9, 2008 Today, Congressional negotiators announced the completion of a farm bill that fails to include much-needed farm program reforms proposed by President Bush and increases spending by nearly $20 billion. At a time of record farm income, Congress chose to further increase farm subsidy rates, require the American taxpayers to subsidize the incomes of married farmers already earning up to $1.5 million per year, and expand government control over farm programs. This bill also adds a number of provisions never considered by the full Congress such as numerous trade-related provisions and expansion of the Davis-Bacon Act. Congress should reconsider increasing by $20 billion the current spending level of $596 billion over 10 years. […] The bill walks away from conservation. The Administration is disappointed that the Conservation Title is nearly $4 billion less than the Administration’s proposal. It reduces enrollment in Wetlands Reserve Program WRP by thousands of acres, falling short of the President's goal of 250,000 acres enrolled per year. The bill dismantles the sodsaver proposal that would protect native grasslands from being cultivated to capture subsidies. For full press release, go to: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/05/20080509.html

Wetland Reserve Program in Trouble From "Wetlands Alert" by Wisconsin Wetlands Association – April 30, 2008 The Farm Bill is in the final stages of negotiation this week. In the last 24 hours, WRP has suffered major blows. The acreage total has been reduced from 250,000 acres to 185,000 acres. Language fixing the yellow book appraisal problem has been removed. And the Conservation Easement payment schedule has been changed from a one-time payment to a payment schedule over 10-30 years (inefficient and not appealing to farmers). […] Enrollment in Wisconsin's WRP program plummeted when NRCS officials in Washington enacted a policy requiring use of the "yellow-book appraisal method" to determine payments to farmers for WRP contracts. Wisconsin formerly compensated landowners between $1,500-$2,000 an acre for WRP easements; however under yellow-book appraisal, farmers are only being offered $200- $300/acre. Farmers cannot afford to accept contracts at those rates and Wisconsin restored fewer than 500 acres of wetlands under WRP in 2006. For more information on NRCS’s WRP in Wisconsin, visit: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp.html For a link to the full “Wetlands Alert” in which this story appeared, go to: http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/alerts/alert_20080430.htm

Opinion: We'll Reap What We Sow By Daniel Imhoff – Los Angeles Times - April 10, 2008 If you've ever driven through the southern end of California's Central Valley in September, you're familiar with the grids of lint-strewn cotton fields that blur by for nearly 2 1/2 hours. You might even have pondered the wisdom of planting such a thirsty crop as cotton on a million acres -- an area larger than Yosemite National Park -- in a state facing a water crisis. Then again, you might ask a similar question about the half a million acres of rice, a grain adapted to the monsoons of Asia, on the valley's northern end. For full OpEd, go to: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-imhoff10apr10,0,6906939.story

Crop Prices Cut into Conservation By Katherine Glover – The Environment Report (GLIN) – March 24, 2008 With grain prices hitting record highs, a lot of farmers are removing land from the federal Conservation Reserve Program. The CRP pays farmers to stop growing crops on poor land and instead grow trees or grass cover. That creates habitat for wildlife. The US Department of Agriculture, which runs the program, says the CRP is still in good shape. Katherine Glover reports some conservationists disagree: When the Conservation Reserve Program started in 1985, David Schoenborn was among the first on board. He stopped farming some of his land and let natural cover grow. The U.S. Department of Agriculture paid him. Usually land that wasn’t the best farmland or land that was prone to erosion was set aside for the program. Conservationists say CRP has been great for reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and restoring wildlife habitat. For full story, go to: http://environmentreport.org/story.php3?story_id=3960

Bush Sets Deadline for Farm Bill By MARY CLARE JALONICK – Business News – March 13, 2008 President Bush is urging Congress to keep current farm law for another year if lawmakers can't agree by April on a new bill to extend farm and nutrition programs -- a possibility given that congressional negotiations have stalled. Bush said Thursday he will sign a one-month extension of the existing farm law passed by both chambers Wednesday, pushing expiration to April 18. The 2002 law originally expired Sept. 30 and has been extended repeatedly. For full story, go to: http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8VCP4280.htm

Farm Bill Funding: What Types of ‘Trickery’ Are in Play? By Sara Wyant, Editor, Agri-Pulse – March 12, 2008 The late Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen was widely attributed with saying: “A billion here, a billion there and pretty soon you are talking real money.” In today’s budgetary climate, he might have taken a new twist: “A delay here and a program change there, and pretty soon you are talking about billions.” For full editorial, go to: http://www.agri-pulse.com/uploaded/0226081.pdf

Administration Analysis Details Impact on USDA Programs without a New Farm Bill Contact: Keith Williams – USDA News Release – February 29, 2008 At the request of senior House and Senate agriculture committee staff, the U.S. Department of Agriculture today provided a detailed document developed from Administration analysis of impacts to current USDA programs - in the absence of enactment of a new farm bill or an extension of the 2002 farm bill past March 15, 2008. As stated in the USDA analysis, the provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949, which have been repeatedly suspended by several farm bills, would again become legally effective if a new farm bill is not enacted or Congress fails to extend the 2002 farm bill by March 15, 2008. Often described as a reversion to "permanent law," such a result would "dramatically narrow the universe of producers who receive support, and would do so in a way that most producers will view as irrational," according to the 14 page paper prepared by USDA and approved by the Office of Management and Budget. For full news release, go to: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid= 2008/02/0062.xml

NRCS Announces Sign-up Deadline for WRP Delta Farm Press -- February 11, 2008 Missouri landowners interested in participating in the Wetlands Reserve Program should apply by Feb. 22 to be eligible for the next round of funding, the Natural Resources Conservation Service announced. WRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to restore, enhance, and protect wetlands on their properties. NRCS provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. For full story, go to: http://deltafarmpress.com/legislative/wrp-signup-0211/ For an additional story on this (NE) go to: http://www.northplattebulletin.com/index.asp?show=news&action=readSto ry&storyID=13992&pageID=29

Farm Bill 2007: Three New Reports on Conservation Programs The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) and Environmental Defense (ED) have produced three new reports that recommend steps farm bill conferees should take to improve CSP, EQIP, and technical assistance as they shape the final farm bill. For access to all three reports on the SWCS homepage: www.swcs.org

Costs in Grasslands Plowed, Wetlands Drained Will be Steep

By Tony Dean – Argus Leader – January 30, 2008 I'm not the only outdoor communicator questioning the impact of corn-based ethanol on the environment. St. Paul Pioneer Press outdoor writer Chris Niskanen did Sunday in his weekly outdoor column, titled "We may need to Wage War on Corn-based ethanol." Niskanen wrote, "In Southeast Minnesota, trout fishermen are fighting a proposed corn-ethanol plant near Eyota, arguing the plant will draw excessive water from local aquifers and endanger trout streams and drinking water supplies." Ducks Unlimited released a report last week that showed contracts for CRP in Minnesota for nearly 600,000 acres of land enrolled in CRP will be released in 2010. In North Dakota, about one-third of the contracts will also expire then, but that was before North Dakota officials got over the shock of already losing some 400,000 acres. For full article, go to: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080130/ OUTDOORS/801300308/1002/SPORTS

Farm Bill Provides Security, Nutrition By Congressman Tim Holden, D-Schuylkill – The Patriot-News – January 22, 2008 The Patriot-News' Jan. 11 editorial on the federal Farm Bill was right on that the bill is serious business "that directly affects farmers and the rest of us." Our state is America's fourth largest producer of food products. The farm bill is essential to ensuring that Americans have food security, and that agricultural producers can continue to feed us, clothe us, and fuel our future. Both the House and Senate versions of the Farm Bill are fiscally responsible and do not add one cent to the nation's deficit. Despite what many people might think, only about 12 percent of the House bill funding goes to commodity support. This includes the milk income program, which provides a safety net for our small dairy farmers when prices fall well below the cost of production, as farm prices vary widely through market fluctuations. […] At my request, the bill contains $150 million for a Chesapeake Bay program that will help restore the Susquehanna River, plus other programs to benefit the bay watershed. Further, the bill increases funding for conservation programs, and doubles funding for the farmland preservation program, which helps to maintain green and open spaces that are valued by urban and rural citizens alike. For full editorial, go to: http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/ 1200955213282530.xml&coll=1

Senate Repairs Nation’s Most Popular Wetlands Program Contact: Neil Shader – Ducks Unlimited – January 14, 2008 The Wetlands Reserve Program, the nation’s leading wetlands restoration program, received much-needed leadership in the Senate recently. Sen. Herb Kohl (Wis.) took the lead to amend language in the Farm Bill, correcting an administrative issue that undercut WRP’s appeal to farmers and ranchers. The change adds a strong negotiating position for WRP as the Farm Bill goes to conference, the final step before being sent to the President. “The Wetlands Reserve Program is the nation’s leading wetlands program, but it was being undermined by the appraisal issue,” said Sen. Kohl. “This amendment should get the program back on track and help farmers conserve their marginal cropland across the country.” For full news release, visit: http://www.ducks.org/news/1461/Senaterepairsnations.html

It’s Still Not Too Late for EQIP By Patricia Paul – Natural Resources Conservation Service – January 1, 2008 Since Oct. 1, many Virginia farmers have signed up to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Opportunity is knocking — there is still time and funds available for farmers who are interested in participating in the 2008 EQIP. Applications are being taken on a continuous basis at your local field office. EQIP funds may be used for improving soil quality, reducing cropland erosion, developing grazing systems, handling animal waste, improving irrigation efficiency, applying forest management practices and enhancing wildlife habitat. Applications are funded on a competitive basis. For full press release, go to: http://www.americanfarm.com/keepingthefarm.html

Senate Passes Farm Bill Strong on Bioenergy, Conservation ENS – December 17, 2007 The U.S. Senate Friday approved a $286 billion farm bill shepherded through by Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa, who chairs the Agriculture Committee. The measure improves farm income protection and makes investments for the future in energy, conservation, nutrition and rural development initiatives. Harkin hailed passage of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, saying it received more votes than any other farm bill since 1973. The final vote count in the Senate was 79-14. Differences between this bill and the version of the farm bill passed by the House of Representatives earlier this year will now be worked out in conference between the two chambers. Harkin, a Democrat, says it has not been easy to craft the bill under the threat of a veto by President George W. Bush. The 79 votes in favor would be more than enough to overcome a presidential veto. For the full news story, go to: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-17-01.asp

Comparison of the House and Senate 2007 Farm Bills RL34228. Congressional Research Service By Renée Johnson, Geoffrey S. Becker, Ralph M. Chite, Tadlock Cowan, Ross W. Gorte, Charles E. Hanrahan, Remy Jurenas, Jim Monke, Jean M. Rawson, Randy Schnepf, Jasper Womach, Jeffrey A. Zinn and Joe Richardson (October 31, 2007). For report go to: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/crs/RL34228.pdf

Harkin Applauds USDA Action to Ready Funding for 2008 CSP Enrollment Senate Agriculture Committee News Release – October 30, 2007 Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded action taken by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Secretary Chuck Conner to make available nearly $257 million in payments for all 19,393 contracts with eligible landowners and producers in the Conservation Security Program (CSP). Harkin cited this announcement and the open enrollment for new signups as positive steps for the program. Harkin authored provisions establishing the CSP in the 2002 farm bill. “Today’s announcement shows that little by little we are breathing new life into the CSP – one of the most important environmental initiatives available to producers today,” said Harkin. “I applaud Acting Secretary Conner’s announcement today and I look forward to his support in of the farm bill that passed the Senate Agriculture Committee last week, which includes significant new funding for CSP.” The payments announced today are for current contracts in all 280 CSP watersheds. CSP contract holders will receive payment in full for the current Fiscal Year 2008 contact obligations and will be given the option of receiving their payment in calendar year 2007 or 2008. CSP program participants should contact their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office so their payments can be processed. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service anticipates the next CSP signup for new enrollments to take place in early 2008 in the 51 eligible watersheds announced in September 2006. These watersheds include more than 64,500 potentially eligible farms and ranches in nearly 24 million acres of cropland and grazing land throughout the United State, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean Area. For more information about CSP, go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/

Farm Bill 2007 Update October 25, 2007 The Senate unveiled the Chairman's Mark for the 2007 Farm Bill on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. At this time, copies of the Chairman’s Mark, accepted amendments and other farm bill materials from the Senate’s discussions this week, are available through the Senate Agriculture Committee website, http://agriculture.senate.gov/ The Senate Farm Bill Markup has continued. It is possible to listen to LIVE proceedings via the Senate Ag Committee website.

A New Farm Bill: The Work is Not Finished By Jake Caldwell – Center for American Progress – October 23, 2007 As the Senate Agriculture Committee prepares to markup the 2007 Farm Bill this week, preliminary reports indicate several positive advances in the areas of renewable energy and conservation. Nonetheless, much work remains to be done to fulfill the Farm Bill’s promise to improve the competitiveness of our nation’s agricultural producers and reform the current subsidy system, so as to reward a greater number of farmers from more regions of the country. The Senate should not shrink from this important task. The United States has traditionally had a strong commitment to supporting U.S. agriculture by investing in innovation and the development of new agricultural markets. The reauthorization of the Farm Bill provides Congress with the opportunity and the responsibility to reinvigorate and adapt our nation’s support for our farmers to meet the challenges of the future. For full story, go to: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/10/farm_bill.html

Sen.: Farm Bill Good for Dakotas By Mary Clare Jalonick – Associated Press/Houston Chronicle – October 18, 2007 A Senate version of the farm bill is expected to maintain most current farm subsidies and boost loan support for several crops, said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D. Like the House bill, the legislation is expected to be good for farmers in North Dakota and South Dakota. The chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, wanted to make major reforms, including cuts to direct payments to farmers. But after lengthy negotiations with Conrad and other senators on the agriculture panel, the legislation is shaping up much like the House bill and current law. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., agreed that the legislation is headed in a direction that will be good for the Dakotas. Thune also sits on the agriculture panel. For full story, visit: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5225283.html

2007 Farm Bill Progress: Senator Harkin Outlines Details of Senate Bill By Frank Zaworski – Grainnet – October 17, 2007 Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IL) said Oct. 17 that he has been able to reach a basic agreement with key members of the Senate Ag. Committee on the elements of the new farm bill, which is scheduled to be marked up the week of Oct. 22. "Senator Saxby Chambliss, the Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Kent Conrad, who is a senior Democrat on the Committee, and I believe that the budget framework and the core policy decisions that we've been able to work out for this farm bill will get the support of a solid bipartisan majority of the Committee," Harkin said. "The proposal is a forward-looking bill with critical investments for the future in energy, conservation, nutrition, rural development and promoting better diets and health for all Americans," said Harkin. For full article, go to: http://www.grainnet.com/articles/2007_Farm_Bill_Progress__Sen__ Harkin_Wants_Presidential_Commission_ On_Food_Safety_ In_Farm_Bill-47966.html

Senate Finance Committee Approves Agriculture Tax Measures (“4-H Bill”)

Media contact: Carol Guthrie – Senate Finance Committee News Release – October 4, 2007 Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) today led the panel in a 17-4 vote approving the “Heartland, Habitat, Harvest, and Horticulture Act of 2007.” The fully-offset “4-H Bill” – totaling $15.05 billion prior to the addition of amendments today – will create a trust fund to help ranchers and farmers hurt by crop and livestock losses, convert a number of conservation payment programs into fully-offset tax credit programs, and offer additional incentives for rural economic development and energy-related tax relief to aid agricultural producers. […] Conservation Reserve Program Tax Credits Currently, participants in the Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) receive cash payments. The proposal will allow a participant in CRP the option to choose between the regular cash payment and a tax credit. The tax credit will be equal to 100% of the value of the cash payment the participant would have otherwise received and the credit will be excludable from both income and selfemployment taxes. Cost is $3.771 billion over ten years. Wetlands Reserve Program and Working Grasslands Protection Program Tax Credits: Currently, participants in the Wetlands Reserve Program and Working Grasslands Protection Program receive cash payments for easements they sell to the government. The proposal will allow a participant in the Wetlands Reserve Program and the Working Grasslands Protection Program the option to choose between the cash payment for the easement or a tax credit. A tax credit will be equal to the value of the payment they would have received after taxes were paid on the payment. Cost is $75 million over ten years. For a link to the full news release, go to: http://www.senate.gov/~finance/press/Bpress/2007press/prb100407a.pdf   For a direct link to the Heartland, Habitat, Harvest and Horticulture Act of 2007 (proposed by Senate Finance Committee), go to: http://www.senate.gov/~finance/sitepages/legislation.htm

CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT WETLANDS

Wetlands Reserve Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/

Conservation Reserve Program USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp/

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program USDA NRCS webpage: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/

ASWM NEWS

Farm Bill 2007: Outlook for Wetlands Reserve Program and Other Conservation Programs, by Leah Stetson, ASWM

WETLAND RESTORATION TECHNICAL GUIDES

Wetland Restoration, Enhancement or Creation: Chapter 13 of USDA Engineering Field Handbook Although the USDA’s Soil Conservation Service Engineering Field Handbook was originally designed to guide those doing wetland restoration as part of farm bill programs, the technical information about wetland restoration, enhancement and creation in this handbook may be applicable to other work. Chapter 13, “Wetland Restoration, Enhancement, or Creation,” in the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)’s Soil Conservation Service Engineering Field Handbook is available here. This version will supersede the previous document, Dikes and Levees-Wildlife Wetland Development. The authors are in the process of revising (fall 2007) this chapter. “The science of wetland restoration, enhancement, and creation is rapidly evolving and improving. Therefore, additions to and modifications of Chapter 13 will be made as necessary.” Please check back in 2-4 months to find the revised version when it is available. Chapter 13 in this interdisciplinary manual places an emphasis on wetland restoration. For a direct link to Chapter 13, “Wetland Restoration, Enhancement, or Creation,” go to: http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/ftp/CED/EFH-Ch13.pdf [Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher is required to open the handbook.]

RESOURCES/PUBLICATIONS

Growing Conservation in the Farm Bill: Recommendations of the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership – This is a comprehensive summary of conservation issues in the development of the 2007 Farm Bill. http://www.trcp.org/documents/2007farmbillreport.pdf

Effects of Reducing the Income Cap on Eligibility for Farm Program Payments

By Ron Durst – Economic Research Service (Economic Information Bulletin No. 27 – September 2007 Farm commodity program payment limits have been in effect since the Agricultural Act of 1970. However, these payment limits have not had much effect on the distribution of farm program payments. Only a small percentage of producers reach the current payment limit ($360,000 per person) because of various legal and regulatory provisions available for avoiding the limits. The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 supplemented program payment limits with a cap on the income farmers can earn and still receive farm program payments. An individual or taxable entity with average AGI over $2.5 million for the previous 3 tax years is ineligible for farm program payments. An exception applies to those with 75 percent or more of their average AGI from farming, ranching, or forestry o