Q: What’s in store for the Conservation Reserve Program?
A: As a lifelong family farmer, I understand what it takes to tend and till farmland year in and year out to keep it rich and productive. Responsible stewardship is key for farmers to earn a living off the land year after year. The federal government also understands that good stewardship of the soil, air and water makes for a better quality of life and enhances economic development opportunities in Rural America. I’m glad the USDA is moving ahead with plans to renew some contracts under the Conservation Reserve Program. Under the CRP, farmers are paid an annual rent in exchange for voluntarily idling environmentally sensitive land for 10 or 15 years. Roughly 34.8 million acres currently are enrolled with an annual rent of $1.67 billion. Beginning August 30, the USDA will hold a CRP sign-up with a targeted enrollment of 800,000 acres. Eligibility for CRP enrollment is based on rental cost and the impact on soil erosion, air and water quality and wildlife enhancement. Created in 1985, the CRP is credited with reducing soil erosion by 40 percent, restoring 1.8 million acres of wetlands and the planting of 2 million acres of trees. As early as 2007, more than half of the nation’s CRP contracted acres will expire followed by another 12.6 million acres in the following three years. The USDA is now seeking input on ways to improve the program and preparing for the potential interest in re-enrollment of CRP acres.
Q: What measures are you promoting in Congress to encourage conservation?
A: As a senior member of the Senate Budget Committee, I won passage of an amendment to the federal budget this spring that would increase spending for environmental stewardship of the nation’s farm resources. My amendment would cap federal farm payments to the largest operators and shift the savings to environmental programs. The $1.221 billion in savings from my payment limit proposal would in part be applied against the reductions made in the Conservation Security Program, the Value Added Development Grant Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. When Congress returns to work after Labor Day, lawmakers need to hammer out final agreements on spending bills for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. I’ll continue my efforts to enact farm payment limits and route more money to conservation initiatives.