FARMERS TO POCKET DOLLARS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS SOWN
Canton, MN - Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Rep. David Minge (D-Minnesota) will simultaneously introduce a bill to both houses of Congress this week that would establish significant new incentives for farmers to improve their environmental performance.
"The Conservation Security Act will hopefully become a cornerstone of the next farm bill," said Congressman Minge. "Now is the time for fiscally sound, environmentally friendly conservation policy that will result in a win-win-win outcome for farmers, the environment, and American taxpayers," said Minge.
"The Conservation Security Act represents a new direction in U.S. farm policy, rewarding farmers who produce clean water and healthy soil along with crops," said Loni Kemp, Senior Policy Analyst at The Minnesota Project, a non-profit center working on the Farm Bill.
"It deserves to be a centerpiece of the next farm bill. Now, farmers are forced to feel like they get a hand out each year from Congress. This bill would pay farmers for taking good care of the land, because that benefits us all," Kemp said. Kemp serves as Co-Chair of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, which includes 2000 farm, food and environmental groups working on federal agriculture policy. The group has made stewardship incentives a top priority for the next farm bill.
"Current farm policies are in chaos," said David Benson, an organic farmer and Nobles County Commissioner. "This new approach says our tax dollars should support farmers for the multiple benefits they provide to society. Many farmers are already doing a great job taking care of the land. This bill guarantees that additional farmers can join them. Representative Minge and Senator Harkin have kick-started the discussion on how to make the farm program work for farmers, taxpayers, and the environment," said Benson.
Under the bill, three levels of payments are established, with the highest level going to farmers who implement the greatest number of conservation practices. The Conservation Security Act rewards traditional soil, water, and wildlife practices as well as critical emerging issues like climate change, preservation of genetic diversity in food crops, and invasive species management. The bill complements current conservation programs by creating payments for conservation practices on working land.
"This is the missing piece," said Kemp. "Many conservation programs pay farmers for not farming -- to get wildlife benefits and cleaner water. Now we could also have a conservation program that rewards farmers for farming well," said Kemp.
The bill opens the door to all farms, unlike past programs that focused on a few commodity crops. If enacted, this program will include organic farms, livestock farms with pasture and hay, as well as fruit and vegetable producers.
Congressman Minge and Senator Harkin expect this approach to receive full consideration in the next session of Congress. Minnesota Representatives Collin Peterson and Gil Gutknecht are also cosponsoring the bill.
Loni Kemp, The Minnesota Project RR 1 Box 81B Canton MN 55922 1-507-743-8300 phone and fax:
