Washington, D.C. (February 23, 2017) – Today, The National Wildlife Federation, along with the Kansas Wildlife Federation, the Conservation Coalition of Oklahoma, the Iowa Wildlife Federation and the Nebraska Wildlife Federation, submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s Field Hearing on the upcoming Farm Bill. 

“We at the National Wildlife Federation are excited to get to work with Chairman Roberts, Ranking Member Stabenow, and the members of the committee on the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The Farm Bill’s voluntary conservation programs have a tremendous ability to conserve and restore vital wildlife habitats in cost-effective ways, while enjoying broad support with producers and engaging rural communities.”

“The next Farm Bill needs to increase the funding and capacity of popular programs like the Conservation Reserve Program and expand the “sodsaver” provision nationwide to help reduce the conversion of native grassland and wildlife habitat. The National Wildlife Federation is eager to work with Congress to find ways to increase funding for these programs so that producers can continue to improve soil health, restore water quality, and increase wildlife populations, all while strengthening rural economies.”