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California farmers and conservationists urge Congress to deliver on Farm Bill commitment

FOR RELEASE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2002

Contact: Keith Hammond, California Wilderness Coalition, 530-758-0380 ext. 109
Phil McGrath, CA Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, 805-485-4210
Will Stockwin, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, 530-756-8518 ext. *822

SACRAMENTO, October 4, 2002 - Thirty-five California farm organizations and conservation groups joined forces today in a rare coalition to demand that Congress deliver California’s full share of conservation funding approved in the 2002 Farm Bill.

Unprecedented new conservation funding for California growers and ranchers was authorized in the Farm Bill, but as Congress debates the 2003 agricultural appropriations in the coming weeks, there is an increasing danger that California will be cut out of new programs, eliminating gains the state made in the Farm Bill and jeopardizing efforts to protect environmental resources and preserve agricultural lands.

In a joint letter to California’s Congressional delegation, the groups called for full funding and nationwide implementation of conservation programs in the 2003 agricultural appropriations bill.

"The nation relies on California’s farmers and ranchers for an abundant supply of high quality food and fiber. Moreover, farmers and ranchers are increasingly faced with complex management choices—needing to maintain profitability in the marketplace, while achieving high standards of clean air, clean water, and healthy ecosystems that are essential to the well-being of all Californians."

The letter was signed by the California Wine Grape Growers, California Rice Commission, California Farmers Union, former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Rich Rominger, Ducks Unlimited, Defenders of Wildlife, California Alliance with Family Farmers, California Wilderness Coalition, California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs), and many other farm and conservation groups.

Noting that California farmers and ranchers produce more than 13 percent of the nation’s food and fiber but historically has received less than 3 percent of Farm Bill funding , Stacie Clary of the California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group stated: "Conservation incentives are the best way to bring new Farm Bill resources to California. If we work together, farmers can both protect the environment and improve their profitability."

"The Farm Bill enables growers to protect prime farmland, preserve native grasslands, and restore wildlife habitat, but these opportunities will never make it over the Rockies if we don’t demand our fair share in California," stated Ben Wallace, a conservation organizer with the California Wilderness Coalition.

One key issue for California is the new Conservation Security Program, which rewards environmentally friendly farming practices on working farms and ranches—creating an incentive for all growers to improve their environmental performance.

Traditional Farm Bill crop support programs are targeted toward specific commodities such as wheat, barley, and cotton. While this helps some California growers, the large majority receives no support. By contrast, the new Conservation Security Program would make payments available for the first time to all California producers that achieve high environmental standards in their ongoing farming practices­regardless of what crop they grow. "This is an especially unique opportunity for California farmers," noted Stacie Clary of California Sustainable Agriculture Working Group.

The House Appropriations Committee has provided funding for the Conservation Security Program only in Iowa. "If the program is implemented in Iowa but not in California, the program guidelines will be designed for Midwestern farmers," Mr. Wallace said. "California has a dramatically different landscape and a much more diverse agricultural sector. We need to be on the ground floor when they launch this program, or California will be shut out once again."

Congress approved the Conservation Security Program in the 2002 Farm Bill, as well as programs to restore wetlands and water quality, prevent farmland conversion, improve wildlife habitat, and preserve grasslands. Now Congress must appropriate money for these programs in the budget for 2003. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California sits on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

"All Californians have a stake in this Farm Bill," stressed Mr. Wallace. "We rely on farmers for the food we eat every day. We have a responsibility to support producers who go the extra mile for clean water, clean air, and wildlife habitat. "

Founded in 1976, the California Wilderness Coalition defends the pristine landscapes that make California unique, provide a home to our wildlife, and preserve a place for spiritual renewal.