Budget 101: Farm Bill Conservation Programs
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), the Conservation Security Program (CSP), and the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) all provide assistance and tools to family forest owners.
As a part of the Farm Bill, these programs allow landowners to leverage their own resources and partake in stand improvement activities that better their land and avoid unnecessary future costs.
Numerous Tree Farmers use these programs, including Earl Smith from Izard County, Arkansas.
Smith manages 1,600 acres of forestland and 200 acres of hayfields in northern Arkansas. He actively manages his land for timber and wildlife and uses Farm Bill programs to accomplish his goals. From 2005 to 2008, Smith used EQIP and WHIP funds to plants trees, improve logging access, and control soil erosion.
“Farm Bill programs are incredibly helpful for landowners who want to make conservation improvements. Given that most make very little off our land except maybe once or twice a generation, these improvements are often difficult to afford.” Smith said.
Another example comes from John and Dani Keller from Cowlitz County, Washington. The Kellers own 128 acres of forest in Washington—land that has been in the family for three generations!
As timber markets are at an all time low, the Kellers have minimal income to spend on forest management. During the recent economic struggle, the Kellers applied for EQIP funding to control invasive species, create snags for northern pygmy owl and woodpecker habitat, and control soil erosion on roads.
“I couldn’t have done the project without the cost-share program. It made the project financially feasible,” John said.
These stories are just two examples of the many Tree Farmers who have benefited from Farm Bill programs. It is clear that these programs are essential for forest health and vitality and must be kept as a priority in future budget planning. Thankfully, AFF was able to communicate this to the Subcommittee with Tom Martin’s testimony.
Take action today: ask your members of Congress to protect the health of our forests.
Keep Reading
Learn more about Tree Farmers and the Farm Bill Program in the 2009 progress report [PDF]
Read yesterday's post: Budget 101: APHIS Invasive Pest and Pathogens Funding
Tom Martin's written testimony [PDF]
Photo credit: Flickr's lil'bear
