From the Editor

It's been more than 70 years since Congress first passed the piece of legislation that today authorizes more conservation programs and conservation funding than any other: the Farm Bill. At the time the Farm Bill was established, its purpose was to assist farmers and stabilize rural economies by protecting farm income and supporting commodity prices. It wasn't until many years later that Congress recognized the importance of including a Conservation Title within the Bill to protect and enhance the fish and wildlife habitat that often goes hand in hand with farmland.

Once the conservation aspect was added, it gained momentum quickly. In fact, the past three Farm Bills (the Bill is renewed every five to seven years) have shaped more conservation programs for a longer period of time-and put more money behind those programs-than any other legislation.

The current Farm Bill was authorized in 2002 and is due to expire next year; a new one is being crafted, with a goal of passage in 2007. Of course a lot has changed since the Farm Bill was last negotiated-on the heels of 9/11. Factors such as the war against terrorism, the expansion of international trade and its effects on agricultural policy, and the urgent need to develop domestic energy sources all will play roles in developing programs and prioritizing spending. Add to that an unprecedented competition for federal dollars, and you can see why conservation-minded sportsmen are nervous.

In April, speaking at a hearing before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Agriculture, Dave Nomsen, the Vice President for Government Affairs for both Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, said: "While many people don't realize it, the Farm Bill is of huge importance to the conservation of our wildlife and natural resources. It has compiled a legacy of success that presents a crystal-clear rationale for expanding many of the conservation programs it empowers. We must seize the opportunity now before us to build upon this progress." Nomsen was speaking on behalf of two coalitions: the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership's (TRCP's) Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group (AWWG) and the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP). These coalitions comprise 41 hunting, fishing and conservation organizations, including Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Quail Unlimited and the Ruffed Grouse Society.

In the past two years groups within the AWWG have come to a consensus regarding the future of agriculture conservation programs and released a report titled Growing Conservation in the Farm Bill (available from the TRCP, 202-654-4600; www.trcp.org). Of particular interest to bird hunters are the following recommendations:

- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)-Reauthorize the program, ensure its competitive viability and expand the overall CRP acreage to 45 million (from 36.7 million in 2006).

- Wetlands Reserve Program-Reauthorize the program and increase the funding level from 250,000 acres to 300,000 acres per year.

- Grasslands Reserve Program-Increase to 2 million acres per year; require that at least 60 percent of agreements be 30-plus-year easements; and provide incentives for large-tract, non-cropland native grasslands.

- Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program-Increase funding from $100 million to $300 million over the course of the 2007 Farm Bill.

- Access-Include a provision based on "Open Fields" legislation to provide $20 million in grants annually to fund state-managed voluntary access programs.

- Forestry-Increase technical, educational and outreach programs to forest landowners through existing programs such as the Forest Stewardship Program. Reauthorize at least $100 million for cost sharing of forest-management practices on private lands and the promotion of long-term healthy forest ecosystems.

So what can you do to help ensure the future of these programs? First, you can encourage your congressmen to keep conservation in mind as they are formulating the upcoming federal budget, and then to support an expansive and adequately funded Conservation Title in the 2007 Farm Bill. (For more information and letter-writing assistance, visit the TRCP Website.)

And second, you can join a group like the TRCP or a conservation organization that fits your interests. Only with a loud and unified voice do sportsmen stand a chance of preserving and enhancing wildlife, wildlife habitat and access to same.

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