Farm program payments must be tied to conservation
With the 2008 farm bill set to expire in less than a year, discussions have already begun for writing the 2012 farm bill. Since Washington is looking to trim the budget anywhere possible, many farm programs, such as direct payments, are on the chopping block. Other programs, like disaster payments and conservation policies, will likely face cuts as well.
Both Iowa Farmers Union and National Farmers Union have long argued that family farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land, and that continues to be true. Taking good care of the land is simply the right thing to do. Farmers and ranchers must be conscientious of preserving our land, water, and other natural resources to pass down to future generations.
Another reason farmers have complied with federal conservation guidelines is because there has always been a financial incentive to do so. Farmers who did not comply with federal conservation standards were not eligible to receive direct payments and thus lost out on a potential source of revenue.
Because direct payments are likely to be cut from the 2012 farm bill, farmers will no longer have a financial incentive to comply with conservation guidelines. That is why it is critical for the next farm bill to provide a link between conservation programs and the farm safety net. Farmers must comply with federal conservation guidelines in order to receive federal assistance on crop insurance and disaster payments.
Fair or not, agriculture’s image has taken a hit because of the proliferation of corporate farms. Linking commodity payments with conservation compliance would show that farmers are interested in preserving natural resources. While it is necessary to turn a profit to survive, farmers also recognize the need to conserve resources for the betterment of society.
Tying farm safety net payments to compliance with federal conservation guidelines is the right thing to do.
— Chris Petersen, Iowa Farmers Union president, Clear Lake