Farm Bill the Premier Conservation Tool

Conservation is always a part of the Farm Bill when its passed, but one of the authors of the 2014 Farm Bill called it the biggest piece of environmental legislation signed under President Obama.

Tina May, who has worked with both the USDA and Congress, said, “For the first time ever, the American taxpayer is going to spend more on private lands conservation than on direct subsidies or the old style of direct subsidy payments to farmers.”

May also pointed to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

“It really flips the model of government and instead of the government telling farmers and ranchers and forest owners what to do to protect their land, it’s the farmers and the people that they work with and trust telling the federal government what they need.”

Negotiations are already starting on the next Farm Bill in 2018.