Statement Of Sen. Patrick Leahy
Senate Committee On Agriculture, Nutrition, And Forestry
Hearing On
“Conservation Policy Recommendations For The Farm Bill”
May 1, 2007

Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to make a brief opening statement.  The Judiciary Committee is about to begin an important hearing on patent reform that I am Chairing so I will not be able to stay for the full hearing this morning. 

The 2002 Farm Bill represented a historic commitment to the conservation of America’s privately owned farm and forest landscape.  These heightened investments have begun to make a real difference in rural America.  In this 2007 Farm Bill I believe we have an opportunity to build on the success of the 2002 Farm Bill to ensure these programs have the additional resources needed and operate as effectively as possible for America’s farmers and ranchers. 

In particular I would like to highlight a few priorities that several of our witness will discuss in greater detail.  The boost in funding working lands conservation programs including the Environmental Quality Incentives program, the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and the Agriculture Management Assistance Program, and the Regional Equity requirement, has been particularly helpful to producers in Vermont and elsewhere.  I hope we can continue to provide additional funding for these programs and expand the Regional Equity requirements this year.  

In addition I believe this Farm Bill presents a unique opportunity to expand USDA’s working lands conservation programs to ensure private forested landowners have access to these successful conservation programs. 

Finally there are new exciting opportunities for this reauthorization, such as developing an organic conversion program within the conservation title to provide needed technical and financial assistance for producers seeking to transition to organic production. 

Mr. Chairman, again thank you again for extending me this time.  I believe we went a long way with the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, and with your leadership we can build on earlier successes to redouble our commitment to conservation programs in the 2007 Farm Bill. 

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