Conservation and the 2007 Farm Bill

Background

The Conservation Title of the 2007 Farm Bill should focus on rewarding good stewardship of the land by placing a greater emphasis on working lands, communities and fostering a new generation of conservation-minded farmers and ranchers. Although each of us has a moral obligation to leave the land at least as well as we receive it, the public also has an obligation to share in the cost of protecting the land and water on which all of us – current and future generations – rely for survival.

The 2002 Farm Bill recognized this obligation and made great strides in this regard. For example, it increased the funding level devoted to conservation programs; developed a whole new approach to conservation programs through the creation of the Conservation Security Program and the Partnerships and Cooperation Initiative; and called for a special initiative through conservation programs for beginning farmers and ranchers.

Download the entire proposal below.