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Wildlife and the Farm Bill

Cuontry road with silo Some of the nation's most successful voluntary conservation programs take place under the federal Farm Bill. Across the country, farmers are protecting wildlife habitat, controlling soil erosion and reducing polluted runoff with technical and financial assistance from Farm Bill programs. The Farm Bill is among the largest sources of conservation funding in the federal government.

Through such programs as the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, hundreds of millions of dollars are available to private landowners to keep wetlands, grasslands and other fragile lands protected as wildlife habitat.

National Wildlife Federation works to make sure that worthy Farm Bill conservation programs are reauthorized at appropriate levels, are structured to achieve maximum wildlife and environmental benefits, and are fully funded during the annual appropriations process.

Recent News

Future Friendly Farming: Seven Agricultural Practices to Sustain People and the Environment
National Wildlife Federation report offers techniques that farmers and ranchers can use to increase profits, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect soil, water and wildlife habitat.
9/09/11 - National Wildlife Federation Working with Farmers and Ranchers for 2012 Farm Bill
Julie Sibbing, Director of Agricultural Programs for the National Wildlife Federation, was visiting Oklahoma this week to talk with Congressman Frank Lucas's people on the importance of conservation in the 2012 Farm Bill. Read more >>
As we approach the 2012 farm bill, NWF will be tracking news and updates about important conservation programs, agency actions, and congressional decisions. Stay tuned for ways in which your actions can make a difference as well.

What is the Farm Bill?
The 2008 Farm Bill authorized many important programs for wildlife, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), and the Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP).
Why is the Farm Bill important to wildlife conservation?
Nearly 907 million acres, or 50% of the US, is currently managed as cropland, pastureland, or rangeland. These private lands are critical for hundreds of species of wildlife, from grassland game birds, like quail and grouse, to frogs, salamanders and snakes.
Conservation Success Stories: How is the Farm Bill helping wildlife?
Farmers across the country are utilizing farm bill conservation programs to enhance habitat for wildlife populations, combat climate change, and safeguard the nation’s air, land, and water resources.
Agriculture Appropriations: How is the funding spent?
The 2008 Farm Bill provided five years worth of funding for most US Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. Each year, Congress passes annual appropriations bills that provide funding for USDA and other agencies. In some cases, those appropriations bills have restricted funding for important conservation programs, even thought the funding was supposed to be guaranteed through the Farm Bill.