2008 Farm Bill Implementation
America's forests cover approximately one-third of our nation, equivalent in size to our agricultural lands. These forest lands are owned by nearly 10 million individuals as compared to only 2 million members of the farming community. The 2008 Farm Bill, passed by Congress in June 2008, gives the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Farm Service Agency, and the USDA Forest Service, all agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, new and improved programs to help family forest owners conserve and manage their forests. Now, because of the work of the American Tree Farm System, in partnership with the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition, forest owners are eligible for much of the conservation, energy, and forestry programs in the Farm Bill, just as farmers and ranchers. Through these new and improved programs, qualifying landowners can receive both technical and financial assistance to deal with forest management concerns like wildfire, insects and disease, and wildlife management.
Policy approved by American Forest Foundation Board, to expire December 31, 2009
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