FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 1999

CONSERVATION 2000 CONFERENCE

Conservationists from across the United States met in New Orleans Dec. 14-17 to share accomplishments and lessons learned from local, state and federal agricultural conservation programs during the National Agricultural Conservation 2000 Conference.

One of the general session speakers, Glenda Humiston, Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, discussed major issues facing agriculture today, including loss of farm and forest land. She also mentioned how the 2002 Farm Bill may address those issues plus other conservation initiatives being proposed by legislators.

Read Smith, First Vice President of the National Association of Conservation Districts spoke to participants about the importance of conservation of private land and the important work of Conservation Districts in implementing conservation practices at the local level.

During the three-day conference, speakers from all regions of the country discussed state programs, planning tools and technologies, wetlands programs and Core 4 Conservation.

The Conservation Technology Information Center is a non-profit organization based in West Lafayette, Ind. The center promotes the enhancement of soil and water quality through the use of environmentally beneficial and economically viable natural resource systems. Further information about CTIC is available on http://www.ctic.purdue.edu.