Contact: Danielle Endvick
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dendvick@wisconsinfarmersunion.com
Wisconsin Farmers Union submits comments on Conservation Stewardship Program
CHIPPEWA FALLS – Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) President Darin Von Ruden provided comments to the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today, praising the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the assistance it provides farmers in managing their land sustainably while recommending a number of changes to its interim final rule which would increase the program’s accessibility and overall effectiveness.
“WFU is proud to support programs such as CSP that reward farmers for their contributions to land stewardship,” Von Ruden said. “We believe CSP is an excellent program that provides valuable assistance to farmers interested in implementing conservation practices into their operations, but it has the potential to become even better.”
Von Ruden also urged WFU members, especially farmers participating in CSP to submit comments to NRCS before the deadline tonight at 10:59 CST. Comments can be submitted at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=NRCS-2014-0008-0001
In his comments, Von Ruden voiced concern that CSP currently overemphasizes the significance of novel conservation activities while minimizing ongoing conservation activities carried out by farmers.
“While we greatly value the importance of new conservation within CSP, new activities should not outweigh retaining existing conservation practices within the program,” Von Ruden said. “Instead, we encourage NRCS to base the program’s ranking and payment rules on actual or expected conservation and environmental outcomes—regardless of whether they are generated from new or existing conservation practices.”
Von Ruden also called for improvements in program access for beginning farmers and for those owning small or mid-sized farms. “Because our agricultural landscape is so diverse, it is important that CSP strive to include all types of farmers, regardless of the size of their operation,” he said.
“Farmers can be great contributors toward preserving the environment and society is interested in rewarding their contributions,” added Von Ruden. “The changes we are asking for would help to ensure that CSP has an even more positive impact on the future of agriculture.”
Wisconsin Farmers Union is a member-driven organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all citizens through educational opportunities, cooperative endeavors and civic engagement.
