DC Talking Points June 2008
Farm Bill Update
Fourteen of the 15 titles
of the Farm Bill are now law, including the Conservation Title. Below is a summary of some of the
conservation program changes in the Conservation Title:
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) – Reauthorized through 2012 with an increase in
overall program acres and removal of the annual acreage cap. Enrollment is limited to private or Tribal
lands. Permanent and 30-year easements
and restoration agreements are maintained.
Enrollment of land where ownership has changed during the previous 7
years is prohibited. Easement
compensation is changed to the lowest of: fair market value, geographic cap, or
the landowner offer.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Expands purpose to include forest management
and energy conservation benefits associated with conservation practices. Establishes a payment limitation of $300,000
per person or legal entity, unless a project has special environmental
significance. Allows payments to limited
resource, socially disadvantaged (minority), or beginning farmers that reflect
up to 90 percent of the cost or at least 25 percent above the otherwise
applicable rate. These producers can
also request advance payment covering up to 30 percent of the cost of materials
to install conservation improvements.
Continues that 60 percent of funding must be targeted to practices that
benefit livestock producers. Payments
are authorized for practices that help producers currently engaged in or
transitioning to organic production.
Authorizes payments for practices that address air quality concerns from
ag operations using innovative technologies.
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) – Authorizes a new activity within EQIP to promote
ground and surface water conservation and improve water quality on ag
lands. The Secretary can enter into
contracts directly with producers, or enter into partnership agreements to
carry out the program activities.
Partners would be selected competitively, and dedicated funds would be
used in their project area to enroll EQIP eligible producers.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) - Reauthorizes WHIP through 2012. Limits contracts to private ag land,
non-industrial private forestland, and tribal lands. Increases the percentage of long-term
agreements from 15 to 25 percent. Allows
a priority for projects that further national, state or regional habitat
goals. Establishes payment limits to a
person or legal entity of not more than $50,000 per year.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – Establishes a new CSP for 2009 through 2017 to
assist producers in implementing conservation activities applicable to their
operation and rewarding stewardship on working lands. Specifies that lands enrolled in CRP, WRP,
GRP or that have not been cropped for four out of the past 6 years cannot
receive a CSP payment. Eligible
producers must meet the stewardship threshold for one resource concern and be
willing to achieve the threshold for at least one additional priority resource concern
by the end of their five-year contract.
Applicants must account for their stewardship activities covering their
entire ag operation.
2007 Census of Agriculture
It’s not too
late to respond! It is important that every
farm and ranch in the