As an environmental and sustainable agriculture community we have spent cumulative years of our lives fostering the development of federal farm policies that will support the multiple benefits of profitability, environmental soundness, that is family-farm based and socially just. Additionally, representatives of several MEP partners have been vocal and present when it comes time to get programs funded and to get rules written in Washington. When all this is said and done, there is still opportunity for involvement in shaping these programs. Click here to download a brochure describing the program.

Here in Minnesota the Natural Resources Conservation Services, the USDA agency that administers conservation programs, has a structure to get input and feedback on each of its programs just before they hit the ground in society and the landscape. Several times a year our state conservationist, William Hunt, convenes Minnesota’s State Technical Committee. The committee, comprised of whomever shows up from all interested parties, provides advice on a wide variety of policy issues to NRCS. Although State Technical Committees have no implementation or enforcement authority, USDA gives strong consideration to the Committee's recommendations. Subcommittee meetings whose recommendations feed to the STC take place specifically for the Conservation Security Program (CSP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP), the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), etc. Additionally, county-level work groups are convened annually to refine and localize EQIP program funding priorities.

Will “resource-conserving crop rotations” become a practice standard? Should farmers receive CSP “points” for non-chemical pest controls, establishing natives in controlled grazing systems, or having upgraded septic systems? NRCS needs the voice of the environmental community to advance and ground these decisions.

The Minnesota Environmental Partnership through its “Advancing Conservation in Minnesota Program” is encouraging all of its member organizations to fire up, take advantage of these opportunities and make a difference. As we deepen our commitment to optimizing these programs through participation, we better understand the strength of a unified voice and well-networked communications. Sign up on the MEP-sponsored list serve at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MEPAdvancingConservation to get on board with the issues at hand and the nature of our discussion.

Anyone interested in learning more about Advancing Conservation in Minnesota or representing their organization at any level of conservation program meetings is welcomed to contact Audrey Arner at moonstone@mvtvwireless.com.  Check to see if your organization is an MEP member at www.MEPartnership.org.