BISMARCK, N.D. -- Speaking today to leaders from the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts, Senator Kent Conrad outlined federal efforts in the new Farm Bill to promote soil conservation in North Dakota and across the nation.
"This farm bill provides the critical resources our family farmers and ranchers need to manage and protect their land," Senator Conrad said. "This bill encourages farming practices that fight soil erosion and ensure our rich farmlands do not turn to dust." Senator Conrad was a chief negotiator on the 2008 farm bill. The farm bill contains $6.5 billion to improve our conservation programs, including:
- $1.1 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program, the successor to the old Conservation Security Program.
- $2.4 billion in new resources for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- $1.3 billion for the Wetlands Reserve Program, which is enough money to enroll 1.22 million acres of wetlands over the next five years.
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- $320 million in new funding for the Grasslands Reserve Program.
- New enrollment opportunities in the Conservation Reserve Program Wetlands Pilot for flooded prairie wetlands and in the Wetlands Reserve Program for land flooded by closed basin lakes, like Devils Lake.
- $50 million for Senator Conrad's Open Fields initiative to increase access on private lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities. Conrad also discussed last week's presidential election and how it will impact the implementation of the farm bill. He noted that Sen. Barack Obama supported the farm bill and has a strong record of backing America's farmers.
"Sen. Obama represents a farm state and appreciates the critical role agriculture plays in this country. Throughout his campaign for President, he emphasized the importance of conservation programs. Now as President, I am confident Barack Obama will continue to promote conservation, protect our farmland and work to increase opportunities for farmers and their families."
