FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2002

Contacts: Rich Duesterhaus, NACD, (202) 547-6223
                Karen Scanlon, CTIC, (765) 494-9555

partners Plan Efforts to Implement
a New Generation of Conservation Programs

ST. LOUIS – Accomplishing environmental and natural resource goals was at the top of the discussion when a multitude of conservation stakeholders from across the country met in St. Louis this week.  They planned a course of action to accomplish historic levels of conservation on America’s private working lands through the 2002 Farm Bill.

Representatives of agriculture industry, forestry, livestock, crops, wildlife and private business sectors, as well as federal, state and local conservation agencies, participated in the dialog at the November 12-14 National Conference on Farm Bill Conservation Opportunities, sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC).

The resulting action plans will focus stakeholder efforts to quickly and effectively get information on program benefits to all private landowners. NACD President J. Read Smith challenged attendees to “become public ambassadors in carrying forth the action plans to their respective constituencies to implement this new generation of conservation programs.”

Neil Crane, a potato farmer from Maine, recognized that “Producers that don’t make a profit can’t practice conservation,” and stressed the need for leadership at the local level. “I can’t think of anything more difficult or frustrating than that of running a locally led conservation program from Washington, DC,” said Crane, adding, “With that in mind, let us do it at the ground level. We are prepared to launch an effective, defensible program.”

The action plans also will address how to better inform the public of the many benefits they receive-cleaner air and water, healthier soil and improved wildlife habitat-from private lands conservation. CTIC Chair Bruno Alesii noted that the 2002 Farm Bill represents a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for farmers to embrace positive conservation changes on their land. Ultimately, farmers can make profits and the American taxpayers benefit from getting more conservation on the land.”

Bruce Knight, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the agency charged with implementing the conservation provisions of the Farm Bill, said that, “Success will come by focusing more on conservation goals and less on individual programs.” Knight also called for keeping decision making at the local level.

Capturing the momentum created through stakeholder discussions, Smith charged conference participants with carrying home the important messages, building local-level networks to implement the action plans and energizing others to join in this nationwide effort to get more conservation on the ground. “We’ve seen here a willingness to talk across stakeholder boundaries and create a solid foundation for working together,” said Smith.

Mark Rey, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment, addressed the closing session with a charge that “the various interests come together, set aside their differences and work collaboratively to achieve success.”

The action plans will be available soon on the NACD and CTIC Web sites, at www.nacdnet.org and www.ctic.purdue.edu.

# # #